Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in jail for attempting to commit murder.
After a shooting in 2022, Velasquez, 42, entered a no contest plea to attempted murder, felony assault, and other gun-related offenses in California last August.
Harry Goularte, 46, was among the three individuals in the truck when the American opened fire, wounding another man in the truck in the arm and body.
According to the district office, Goularte was the intended victim and has entered a not guilty plea to felony child molestation allegations.
Renee Hessling, the defense lawyer, described the decision as “bittersweet” since she had hoped Velasquez would not receive a prison term. Since November, Velasquez has been under house arrest, and his sentence has been reduced by 1,283 days of time served.
“Throughout it all, Cain has shown courage and strength of character,” Hessling said in a statement.
“He has taken responsibility for his actions and has been held accountable. The sentence handed down today reflects the complexities of the situation and acknowledges the man behind the headlines.”
