The mixed martial arts community continues to rally behind former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez as his path toward potential freedom takes a significant turn. Daniel Cormier, longtime training partner and fellow UFC legend, recently shared an update that has sparked renewed hope among supporters of the imprisoned fighter.
According to Cormier, Velasquez’s first parole hearing has been scheduled for February 2026. Speaking candidly about his friend’s situation in a recent interview, Cormier made an emotional appeal: “Pray for the champ and hope that he gets out.”
The plea carries weight from someone who knows Velasquez intimately. Cormier emphasized a crucial point that supporters have maintained throughout this ordeal: “The reality is he’s no danger to society, right? When he was home, he was just helping the next generation of AKA athletes.”
The case that led to Velasquez’s imprisonment began on February 28, 2022, when the decorated athlete pursued a pickup truck through Morgan Hill, California. The vehicle carried Harry Goularte Jr., the man accused of abusing Velasquez’s child at a family-run daycare, along with Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender and mother Patty Bender.
What followed was an 11-mile pursuit that ended with Velasquez discharging a firearm at the vehicle, intending to target Goularte but instead striking Paul Bender, who sustained injuries to his arm and torso.
The circumstances surrounding the incident have drawn comparisons to historical cases where parents took matters into their own hands after alleged abuse of their children. While Goularte received immediate bail release, Velasquez remained behind bars for eight months before any resolution began to take shape, despite widespread public support from the MMA community.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, another prominent figure who trained alongside Velasquez at American Kickboxing Academy for over a decade, expressed bewilderment at the disparity in treatment,
“He’s the most respectful guy I’ve ever seen in my life. I trained with him for more than 10 years. I know his family. Everybody loves Cain. This is his kids. I don’t understand,” Nurmagomedov stated. “Ok put him in jail, but what about other guy? He’s more dangerous than Cain. Cain is dangerous for only one guy, but this guy is dangerous for everybody. I don’t understand this.”
Velasquez ultimately entered a no contest plea, leading to a contentious sentencing process. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office recommended 30 years to life, while the county Probation Department suggested seven years and eight months. His attorney, Renee Hessling, challenged the lengthier proposal, citing concerns about potential racial bias under California’s Racial Justice Act.
Throughout the legal proceedings, prominent UFC figures have stood by Velasquez. In 2022, UFC CEO Dana White submitted a letter of support describing the former champion’s character. “I write this reference in full knowledge of Cain Velasquez’s current charges of attempted murder and assault. I was stunned to learn of these charges against him, as they are completely out of character for the man I was proud to say was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion,” White wrote.
White continued: “I have known Mr. Velasquez for more than 15 years, and during his time as an active athlete with UFC, he represented our company with dignity and always treated others with respect. He was a model example of how a professional athlete should carry himself, projecting a positive image to UFC’s fanbase.”
The letter detailed Velasquez’s professionalism and community engagement: “Mr. Velasquez was extremely professional and went above and beyond to make a connection with our fans and promote the sport of mixed martial arts, not only as an entertainment product, but also as a character building discipline. As a Mexican American, Mr. Velasquez was proud of his heritage and never passed up an opportunity to visit Mexico on behalf of our company and demonstrate his gratitude to the Mexican fans for their support. People who know him best describe him as a humble, soft-spoken man who was very much dedicated to his family, including his wife and his two children.”
The case has sparked broader conversations about how the justice system handles situations where alleged perpetrators receive lenient treatment while those who react receive harsh penalties. Police confirmed that Goularte was suspected of abusing multiple other children at his mother’s daycare facility.
Goularte, who denies the allegations, faces a single felony charge of committing a lewd act and remains under supervised release.
As February 2026 approaches, the MMA community remains united in support of Velasquez. Many view his actions as the response of a parent overwhelmed by circumstances that would test anyone’s limits.
The upcoming parole hearing represents the first opportunity for Velasquez to potentially return to his family and the sport that defined much of his life.
