Cain Velasquez Sentenced to Five Years in Prison – Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in a February 2022 shooting. The incident occurred when Velasquez fired a handgun at a vehicle carrying a man accused of molesting his son. The man’s stepfather, Paul Bender, was injured in the shooting.
Velasquez previously pled no contest to felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons-related charges in August. While he received a five-year sentence, he will receive credit for more than three and a half years of time already served. He spent eight months in jail before being released under house arrest, during which he wore an ankle monitor. His legal team believes that, factoring in time served, he may serve approximately one more year in prison.
NBC’s Ian Cull reported that the victims were “extremely disappointed” with the sentencing, stating that they felt the judge considered “unfounded allegations” in the ruling.
Velasquez appeared in person at the Santa Clara, California courtroom for his sentencing on Monday. His defense team argued for time served and probation, while the district attorney’s office pushed for a much harsher sentence of 25 years to life.
Prior to the court’s decision, Velasquez acknowledged his mistake during an interview on The Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, expressing regret for his actions. “The way that I handled things, that was not the way to do it,” he admitted. “We cannot put the law in our own hands.”
Cain Velasquez Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
