After leaving prison, Cain Velasquez receives support from UFC legends; check it out.

Cain Velasquez at a UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/CainVelasquez

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Cain Velasquez , owner of a magnificent career, returned to the spotlight after leaving prison and soon received public expressions of support from the MMA community. Idols of Dana White's organization took to social media to celebrate the former UFC heavyweight champion's (up to 120,2 kg) departure with messages of respect for the former fighter.

In social media posts, Daniel Cormier and Khabib Nurmagomedov , former teammates and friends of the ex-fighter, used their accounts to show support for Cain on his return home. Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib wrote on X, formerly Twitter, the message "Welcome back, true champion." Similarly, Cormier, former holder of the light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) and heavyweight belts, celebrated his friend's return with the message: "My brother is back home! Welcome back, champion!"

Following his release from jail, former teammates and brothers of Cain Velasquez , DC and Khabib, took to social media to welcome the champ back home 💪

True brotherhood! pic.twitter.com/amwwhLBA3C

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 16, 2026

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Why was Cain Velasquez in prison?

Cain Velasquez was arrested for attempted murder. Photo: Reproduction/X

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Cain Velasquez was charged with attempted murder and other firearm-related crimes following a car chase in March 2022. At the time, the former fighter allegedly fired at a man accused of sexually abusing his four-year-old son, but missed his target and hit the suspect's stepfather instead. Three years later, in March 2025, the MMA icon was sentenced to five years in prison, plus four years of supervised probation.

Cain Velasquez's UFC numbers

Cain Velasquez was a two-time UFC heavyweight champion (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook Cain Velasquez )

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Cain built a historic career in the UFC, where he became a two-time heavyweight champion and is known for his aggressive style, exceptional physical conditioning, and rivalry with names like Junior Cigano . Velasquez has a record of 14 wins and three losses in his professional MMA career.

The former champion retired from MMA in 2019, hanging up his gloves after a loss to Francis Ngannou . The American then transitioned to professional wrestling, competing for 'Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide' and WWE.

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