Fighting for Cain: MMA Community Rallies as Velasquez Gets Prison Sentence

The MMA world was rocked this Monday when former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez received his prison sentence. After a legal battle that captivated the fighting community, Velasquez is headed for a short stint behind bars—and his fighting family isn’t taking it quietly.

I’ve covered combat sports for years, but few stories have generated this kind of unified response from fighters across the board. Let’s break down what happened and why the MMA community is standing shoulder to shoulder with one of its most respected champions.

What Happened to Cain Velasquez?

Velasquez, the two-time UFC heavyweight champion known for his relentless cardio and crushing wrestling, received his sentence on Monday following his arrest in February 2022. The charges stemmed from an incident where Velasquez allegedly chased and fired at a vehicle containing Harry Goularte—a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s young relative—hitting Goularte’s stepfather instead.

After reaching a plea deal, Velasquez was sentenced to 8 months in county jail with 3 years probation. While he’s already served most of this time, he’ll still need to complete a short stint behind bars.

Insert image of Cain Velasquez in court here

The MMA Community’s Unwavering Support

What’s truly remarkable has been the outpouring of support from fellow fighters. From current champions to retired legends, the backing for Velasquez has been nearly universal—something you rarely see in this individualistic sport.

UFC President Dana White, who rarely minces words, was among the first to publicly back Velasquez last year, saying: “If you had a family member who was molested, I think we all would agree that we would do the same thing Cain did.”

Current heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis tweeted: “Free Cain. He did what any father would do.”

Why Fighters Are Standing with Cain

This solidarity isn’t just about friendship—it’s about understanding. Many fighters come from tough backgrounds where community justice sometimes feels more reliable than the legal system. For them, Velasquez’s actions represent what any protective parent might do when the system fails them.

As someone who’s interviewed countless fighters over the years, I can tell you—family is everything to these athletes. Many fight specifically to provide better lives for their children. The alleged harm to Velasquez’s family member struck a deep chord throughout the community.

Former opponent Junior Dos Santos, who shared one of the greatest trilogies in UFC history with Velasquez, posted: “Sometimes justice works in ways we don’t understand. My respect for Cain only grows.”

The Legal Battle and What Comes Next

Velasquez initially faced 10 charges, including attempted murder, which could have meant decades in prison. The plea deal to a lesser charge of attempted assault with a firearm significantly reduced his potential sentence.

His legal team effectively argued that Velasquez was suffering extreme emotional distress after learning about the alleged abuse of his family member. The judge acknowledged these extraordinary circumstances in the sentencing.

The Road to Redemption

What’s next for Velasquez remains unclear. At 41, a return to competition seems unlikely, though stranger comebacks have happened in combat sports. More likely, we’ll see him return to coaching at American Kickboxing Academy, where he helped develop champions like Daniel Cormier and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Speaking of Cormier, the former two-division champion and close friend of Velasquez told me last year: “Cain will always have a place in this sport. His knowledge is too valuable, and his character—despite everything—is something young fighters should learn from.”

The Bigger Questions

This case raises uncomfortable questions about vigilante justice, the protection of children, and how society handles these complex situations. While the legal system reached its conclusion, the court of public opinion—particularly in the fighting community—has largely absolved Velasquez.

You might wonder: What would you do in his situation? It’s a question I’ve heard debated in gyms across the country, with no easy answers.

The case also highlights how differently athletes are perceived when facing legal troubles. Unlike cases involving substance abuse or domestic violence, Velasquez’s situation has generated almost entirely sympathetic coverage—showing how context and motive dramatically shape public reaction.

Support Beyond Words

Many fighters have gone beyond social media support. Several, including UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, reportedly helped with Velasquez’s substantial legal fees.

A GoFundMe campaign titled “Athletes United for Cain” raised over $200,000 for his defense, with contributions from both famous fighters and everyday fans.

What This Means for MMA

For a sport often criticized as brutal or barbaric, this situation has revealed something profound about the MMA community—a sense of family that transcends competition. Fighters who once tried to knock Velasquez unconscious have become his strongest advocates.

As the fighting world processes this sentence, one thing is clear: When Velasquez finally walks free, he’ll return to a community that never left his corner.

In this sport where we celebrate warriors, Velasquez’s greatest fight wasn’t in the octagon—it was for his family. And in the eyes of his peers, that makes him a champion regardless of what the legal record shows.

What do you think about Velasquez’s situation? Drop a comment below or share this article to keep the conversation going. The discussion around this case is far from over.

Source: Official court documents, UFC press releases, and fighter social media statements.