Ex-UFC champion sent to prison for attempted murder has made his feelings clear on verdict

Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez has made his feelings clear on his prison sentence for attempted murder.

The 43-year-old, who also had a short stint in the WWE under his real name, was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday after pleading no contest to charges of felony attempted murder, assault and weapons charges.

In 2022, Velasquez was accused of chasing after and repeatedly shooting at a vehicle containing a man accused of molesting the former UFC star's son. The man's father was shot and injured during the incident.

Velasquez was placed under house arrest for nearly three years after being charged, and will receive credit for time already served at 1,283 days.

Prosecutors had argued for a prison sentence of 30 years to life.

Image: Twitter

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office reported that Velasquez was alleged to have confronted the vehicle, before opening fire with a handgun.

It was alleged that Velasquez then rammed the vehicle and continued firing, with a man struck in the arm by a bullet that entered the vehicle.

The man inside the vehicle, Harry Goularte, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of lewd acts with a minor after being accused of molesting Velasquez's son at a daycare centre in 2022. His trial has been set for June 2025.

Speaking on the 'Kyle Kingsbury Podcast' back in March, Velasquez made clear his feelings on the upcoming verdict.

He says: "I know what I did, and I know what I did was very dangerous to other people, you know? Not just people involved, but to innocent people.

"I understand what I did, and I'm willing to do everything I have to pay that back.

"Whatever the court feels correct for what I have to do, I'm going to do it with my head up and still be me, and not play the blame game.

"It was me that did that and reacted in that way."