UFC Community Reacts To Cain Velasquez’s Prison Sentence

Forbes - Mar 24th, 2025
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Cain Velasquez, a former two-time UFC heavyweight champion, has been sentenced to five years in prison following his involvement in a 2022 shooting incident. Despite the prosecution's push for a 30-years-to-life sentence, Velasquez received credit for time already served, totaling 1,283 days. The charges stemmed from a February 2022 incident where Velasquez pursued and fired upon a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte, accused of sexually abusing Velasquez’s son. The shooting resulted in Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, being injured. The sentence has sparked significant support from the UFC community, with many expressing their backing for Velasquez on social media.

The case has highlighted the complexities of justice and parental instincts, as Velasquez expressed remorse for his actions while emphasizing the importance of communication with children about safety. The incident has also drawn attention to Goularte's pending trial, scheduled to begin on June 2, and Velasquez's civil lawsuit against Goularte's family and the daycare center involved. The story underscores the broader societal issues surrounding child safety, vigilantism, and the legal system's handling of such emotionally charged cases. Velasquez, who retired from MMA in 2019, has expressed intentions to learn from his mistakes and move forward positively.

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RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed and largely accurate account of the legal proceedings involving Cain Velasquez, focusing on his sentencing and the events leading up to it. It effectively uses credible sources to support its factual claims and presents a balanced view of the case, although it leans slightly towards a sympathetic portrayal of Velasquez.

The story is timely and addresses topics of significant public interest, including justice, accountability, and societal issues related to child abuse. It has the potential to influence public opinion and engage readers, particularly those interested in MMA and legal affairs.

While the article is clear and readable, it could benefit from additional context and verification for some claims, particularly regarding the support Velasquez received from the UFC community. Overall, it is a well-constructed piece that responsibly handles a controversial topic, encouraging thoughtful consideration and discussion among its readers.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports on Cain Velasquez's sentencing, including the five-year prison term and the charges related to a 2022 shooting incident. It correctly states that Velasquez pleaded no contest to attempted murder and other charges, which aligns with the facts as reported by multiple credible sources. The article also accurately details the incident involving a high-speed chase and shooting at a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte, who was accused of abusing Velasquez's son.

However, there are areas where the article could benefit from further verification. For instance, while it claims that Velasquez received support from the UFC community, it does not provide specific examples or quotes to substantiate this claim. Additionally, the story mentions Goularte's upcoming trial and Velasquez's civil lawsuit, which are factual but lack detailed context or updates on their current status.

Overall, the article is largely factual and supported by existing reports, but it would benefit from more precise sourcing and additional context for some claims.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view of the legal proceedings involving Cain Velasquez, including the perspectives of both the prosecution and the defense. It mentions the prosecution's request for a 30-year sentence and the defense's argument against incarceration, providing a fair representation of both sides of the case.

However, the article leans slightly towards a sympathetic view of Velasquez, particularly through the inclusion of his statements expressing remorse and his reflections on the situation. While these personal insights are valuable, the article could enhance balance by including more perspectives from the Goularte family or legal experts to provide a fuller picture of the case's complexity.

The article's inclusion of Velasquez's support from the UFC community adds to the narrative but lacks counterpoints or critical perspectives on the implications of such support for justice and accountability.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a logical flow of information about the legal case involving Cain Velasquez. It effectively outlines the sequence of events, from the initial incident to the sentencing, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative.

The language used is straightforward and neutral, which aids in comprehension. The inclusion of direct quotes from Velasquez adds depth to the story and provides insight into his perspective, enhancing the article's clarity.

However, the article could improve by providing more detailed explanations of legal terms and proceedings for readers who may not be familiar with the judicial system. Additionally, while the article is clear in its presentation, it could benefit from a more balanced inclusion of perspectives to prevent any potential bias from affecting clarity.

8
Source quality

The article cites credible sources such as NBC Bay Area and references details from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, which adds to its reliability. These sources are authoritative and relevant to the legal proceedings discussed in the story.

However, the article could improve by incorporating a wider range of sources, including statements from legal experts or additional reports from other media outlets, to provide a more comprehensive view of the case. While it mentions support from the UFC community, it does not provide specific sources or quotes to substantiate this claim, which could enhance the article's credibility.

Overall, the article relies on reputable sources for its core facts but would benefit from a broader range of perspectives to strengthen its source quality.

7
Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the events leading to Velasquez's sentencing and the legal proceedings involved. It discloses the charges, the plea, and the judge's decision, offering transparency in reporting the case's outcome.

However, the article could improve transparency by explaining the methodology behind certain claims, such as the extent of UFC community support for Velasquez. It does not provide specific examples or quotes from social media or public statements, which would help readers understand the basis for these claims.

Additionally, the article could benefit from disclosing any potential conflicts of interest or biases, particularly in relation to its portrayal of Velasquez's actions and the support he received. Overall, while the article is transparent about the core facts, it could enhance transparency by providing more context and substantiating its claims.

Sources

  1. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2025/03/ufc-cain-velasquez-prison-sentence-attempted-murder
  2. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2025/03/cain-velasquez-renee-hessling-reaction-attorney-ufc-arrest
  3. https://abc7news.com/post/cain-velasquez-former-ufc-heavyweight-champion-sentenced-5-years-prison-attempted-murder/16077128/
  4. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/south-bay/cain-velasquez-to-be-sentenced/3826671/