Velasquez at an event. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/CainVelasquez
After Daniel Cormier e Khabib NurmagomedovNow it was Dana White's turn to comment on the release of Cain Velazquez from prison. Last Sunday (15), the former UFC heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) left the 'Correctional Training Facility', located in California (USA), and returned to his family and friends. As he closely followed the former fighter's drama, the executive celebrated the fact that he was a free man again.
In 2022, Velasquez was charged with attempted murder, assault, and illegal possession of a firearm after a high-speed chase and shooting at the car carrying Harry Goularte, a man accused of sexually abusing his son at a daycare. After serving more than ten months behind bars, the former boxer was finally granted parole.
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Now, Dana stressed that Cain deserved a happy ending after suffering for so long. Furthermore, the UFC president was one of the key figures in the campaign to release the MMA icon and made constant appeals to US authorities.
“Yes, I’m happy for him. Obviously, for him to be back home to his family, and for everything they’ve been through. If that wasn’t enough, the guy was in prison the whole time,” said the UFC president at the post-Zuffa Boxing 3 press conference.
Parole
It is true that Velasquez could have appealed for parole in March, but it ended up being granted earlier. It's worth noting that the former UFC champion pleaded guilty, did not contest the charges, and had already served a long prison sentence (eight months) before being released on bail and placed under house arrest, monitored by an electronic ankle bracelet.
After returning to prison in March 2025, the MMA legend, ten months later, bid farewell to the institution. In fact, the end of his incarceration was only possible because the former fighter had already served part of his sentence (1.283 days), due to his good behavior and participation in rehabilitation programs.
Next step
Despite his release on Sunday, Velasquez still has obligations to fulfill with the justice system. The former UFC champion will have to appear in court on March 18 for a restitution hearing that was previously postponed. At that hearing, Cain will likely have to compensate Goularte's family for endangering their lives.
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