Off The Record

A Former UFC Champion Was Given A Prison Term For Attempted Murder

Published on March 25, 2025

For a shooting in 2022, former UFC heavyweight champion Caine Velasquez received a five-year prison sentence.

Velasquez appeared at Santa Clara County Hall of Justice on Monday and entered a no contest plea for attempted murder. He faces five years in jail, less time already spent.

However, Judge Arthur Bolcanegra stated Velasquez will be credited with 1,283 days, meaning he will only face 542 days in prison, according to MMA journalist Josh Gross.

The allegations against the former UFC star stem from an incident in 2022 in which he fired bullets from a revolver while driving his truck in a high-speed pursuit of another vehicle.

Harry Goularte, the owner of the daycare Velasquez’s then-4-year-old son attended, was in the automobile Velasquez was chasing.

It had been days since Goularte was detained for’molesting the youngster repeatedly.’

He is scheduled to go on trial this summer after entering a not guilty plea to one allegation of engaging in indecent behavior with a minor.

Velasquez’s bullets struck the Goularte family’s car, wounding Goularte’s stepfather when he was struck in the arm.

Patricia Goularte addressed media outside the courthouse after the sentence.

“The sentence is extremely disappointing. It’s based on alleged allegation that has no basis,” She claimed.

“It is unfounded. We are looking for the opportunity in Harry’s case to prove that as we do have ample amount of evidence to do that. It’s sad that the court system and the public can be influenced by simply somebody stating something with no facts.”

Prior to the sentencing, Velasquez stated in an interview last week that he is prepared for the repercussions of his acts and has accepted full responsibility for them.

“What I did was not correct,” Velasquez admitted.

“I understand that. I paid, and I’ll pay whatever else as far as what I have to do to pay all that back. I don’t think I can pay it back, but I can always learn from my mistakes and help others.”

“It’s just information that you never know anybody. Trust your kids. Have that open communication with your kids. When you do go to the bathroom with them when (they’re) very young, you can work your way in there as far as talking to them about what’s appropriate and what is not, so they know to tell you and they can always tell you whenever something is not correct.”

“So as far as that goes, it’s basically that the more we get consciously aware of ourselves, the more that light shines on dark things, especially things like that.”

“Even with that family and what they’ve done, I can’t have hate like that for them because there are things that I have to move on to and give love to my kids and give love to the people around.”

“I’ve got to share this with everybody, so I can’t give hate to them at all. I wish them healing in the best way, whatever that is. I wish that for them. I understand that they have traumas, as well. It’s not right to spread it – no. I’m glad they themselves have stopped because they can’t practice any more as far as daycare.”

I’ve forgiven them and everything else in my own time, and I know my children are wonderful.