Former UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez, recently entered a plea of no contest to felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons charges in a California court. The incident in question took place in February 2022, when Velasquez allegedly fired multiple rounds at a man he believed had molested his son. However, Velasquez ended up wounding the man’s stepfather instead after a high-speed car chase.
By entering the plea of no contest, Velasquez has agreed to a lighter sentence in exchange for pleading guilty to the charges. This decision ultimately resulted in the premeditated murder charges against him being dropped, thereby avoiding a mandatory life sentence in prison with the possibility of parole. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 18, with the actual sentencing expected to occur at a later date.
The incident unfolded when Velasquez allegedly shot at a pickup truck carrying the man accused of molesting his 4-year-old son. During the 11-mile car chase, Velasquez fired multiple rounds from a .40 caliber handgun, ultimately hitting the man’s stepfather in the arm and torso. The former champion was subsequently arrested without incident following the car chase.
Legal Ramifications
District Attorney Jeff Rosen condemned Velasquez’s actions, stating that he took on the roles of judge, jury, and executioner. The reckless behavior endangered innocent bystanders, including young children and their parents who could have been injured or killed during the shooting. While the county probation department will produce a sentencing recommendation in the coming months, it will consider the severity of the incident in conjunction with Velasquez’s lack of a criminal history and the ongoing sexual abuse case involving his son.
Cain Velasquez’s decision to plead no contest to the attempted murder charges has spared him from a potential life sentence but comes with serious legal consequences. Despite his past achievements in the UFC, Velasquez’s actions in this case have cast a shadow over his career and reputation. The upcoming sentencing hearing will determine the extent of his punishment for his involvement in this tragic incident.