Cain Velasquez: Former UFC Champion Granted Parole After 11 Months in Prison

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez finally breathed free air after being released from prison on parole on Sunday, February 15, 2026, after he served approximately 11 months of his five-year sentence.

In 2025, he was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted murder, including three years already served while awaiting sentencing.

The CDCR stated that he was also entitled to the opportunity to earn time credit for his time served, and had served his "full sentence as defined by law."

The man Vasquez pursued, Harry Goularte, is accused of sexually assaulting Velasquez's 4-year-old son while he was at a daycare. Goularte's mother, who runs the daycare, and his stepfather were in the vehicle during the chase. Goularte's stepfather was shot and wounded.

According to KGO-TV's media partner, The San Jose Mercury News, Goularte's case is still pending and court records show a hearing to set a date for April 15.

Cain Velasquez's case stems from a dramatic incident in February 2022, after he was involved in a high-speed car chase and fired shots at a truck carrying Harry Goularte.

Goularte himself was accused of sexually assaulting Velasquez's then-four-year-old son.

In the shooting incident, one of the shots struck and wounded Paul Bender, Goularte's stepfather.

Despite facing serious charges such as attempted murder and aggravated assault, Velasquez chose to plead no contest to all charges.

He is serving his sentence at the Correctional Training Facility, also known as Soledad State Prison, in California.

Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison in March 2025, but he received a reduced sentence.

This reduction was due to time already served in county jail and under house arrest prior to his trial in 2024.

Initially, the former UFC fighter was expected to be eligible for parole in March 2026.

However, his release date was moved up to February 2026.

This accelerated parole was made possible by Velasquez's active participation in various rehabilitation programs during his incarceration.

As part of his parole, Cain Velasquez is required to comply with several strict conditions.

One of these is a lifetime ban on possessing firearms.He was also ordered to comply with a 10-year protective order, effectively barring him from contact with Harry Goularte and his family.

Velasquez also has four years of supervised probation.

Cain Velasquez's case has received widespread support from the MMA community, including from UFC CEO Dana White, who even paid $1 million bail for his release in November 2022.