Former UFC champion 'expects prison sentence' after 'no contest' plea in attempted murder

Cain Velasquez will not stand trial for his 2022 shooting in Santa Clara, California.

Instead, Velasquez pleaded no contest to several counts, including attempted murder, in a deal that would spare the former UFC heavyweight champion from a life sentence. Still, Velasquez will likely face prison time when he returns for sentencing in mid-October.

This is according to a report from MMA Fighting.

Velasquez, 42, was arrested in March 2022 after a wild chase that ended with Velasquez opening fire in broad daylight. His intended victim, child molestation accused Harry Goularte, escaped unharmed, but Velasquez struck and injured Goularte's passenger.

“This defendant has decided to be judge, jury and executioner,” said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen. “His actions endangered innocent bystanders, including young children and their parents, who could have been injured or killed when he shot his intended victim. We have excellent law enforcement in this county. Let them do their jobs.”

Velasquez has not competed since a KO loss to Francis Ngannou in early 2019.