Cain Velasquez’s upcoming sentencing: What it means for his legacy

Cain Velasquez is a two-time UFC heavyweight champion and one of the most dominant fighters in the history of mixed martial arts, his career was filled with achievements, memorable fights and he is considered to be one of the most versatile heavyweight fighters in history. His career, nonetheless, changed drastically when he was involved in a legal case that was a big blow to MMA. The ex-champion awaits sentencing for the offences that are related to the armed confrontation outside the cage, and this has put his accomplishments in doubt. While Velasquez awaits the next hearing in which he will be sentenced, it becomes the subject of discussion as to what it would mean for the fighter and his future in the sport, as well as his personal life.

This article will look at the cause of Velasquez’s legal issue, a brief on the incident, the public reception of the case, and how his sentencing will shape his future in MMA. Furthermore, we will focus on the role of athletes as the role models and the kind of questions that arise in terms of responsibility, justice, and rehabilitation in such cases.

The Rise of Cain Velasquez: UFC Legend

In order to understand what Cain Velasquez’s upcoming sentencing entails for his legacy, one has to look back at the successes that made him one of the sport’s all-time greats. Velasquez, a Mexican-American fighter, joined UFC in 2008 after achieving a good record in amateur wrestling, he was noted for his cardio, wrestling and pressure which are rare qualities to find in any heavyweight fighter.

He won the UFC Heavyweight Championship in 2010 by KO in the 1 st round against Brock Lesnar at UFC 121. Velasquez was indeed on his best performance throughout the duration of the show. Although he was undersized compared to the mountain of a man that was Lesnar, he outclassed him in every aspect of the fight which included strikes, submission and cardio to finally defeat the then UFC sensation and WWE legend. It was not only Velasquez’s triumph, but also the triumph of all Mexican and Latino fighters in the UFC; he was the first Mexican-American who managed to win the major title in MMA.

Velasquez would then retain his title against Junior dos Santos and they both would have a trilogy of fights that would set the course for their careers. He was also considered as a great wrestler with a ground-and-pound strategy and outworking opponents who are much bigger than him. His fights with Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, Travis Browne and his last fight in the UFC against Francis Ngannou all defined him as one of the toughest competitors to have graced the UFC octagon.

Nonetheless, Velasquez’s career was also characterized by injuries that saw him spend considerable time out of the ring. Knee and back problems affected his reign as a champion and he was unable to achieve the level of consistency as some of his counterparts. However, despite the fact that his career was checkered by physical problems, Velasquez was a heavyweight legend – at least until his legal issues came to light.

The Incident: Defending His Loved Ones

On February 28, 2022, Cain Velasquez was involved in a shooting which made him be arrested. Velasquez has been accused of car chase and shooting at a car with a man who was accused of sexually assaulting a relative of Velasquez. The man in question, Harry Goularte, had been charged with the alleged sexual abuse of a young child in Velasquez’s family. These acts of Velasquez were viewed as a direct reaction to Goularte’s release from custody on bail, which, according to the sources, made the former UFC champion furious.

The incident occurred in Santa Clara County, California, where Velasquez allegedly pursued Goularte’s car across several towns while shooting at the car with a handgun and shooting Goularte’s stepfather, a passenger in the car, in the torso, though the wound was not fatal. Velasquez was arrested and booked on several felony charges including, attempted murder, assault with a firearm, shooting at an occupied vehicle.

This came as a shock to the entire MMA fraternity after hearing of Velasquez’s arrest. The cold blooded and calm fighter, who rarely if ever showed much emotion outside the cage, had seemingly become judge, jury and executioner. While the charges that were leveled against Velasquez raised apprehensions over the fate of the fighter in the legal system, the circumstances under which the case was brought also drew a lot of sympathy for the fighter. That Velasquez was acting in defense of his family – even though through the use of unlawful force – was a concept that many people could relate to and the #FreeCain started trending on social media platforms.

Public Reaction: Pity versus the Law

The public’s response was split down the middle but overall it was sympathetic towards Cain Velasquez’s arrest. Most regarded Velasquez’s action as that of a desperate father and family man who felt that the justice system had let him and his family down. People, fans, fighters, even the UFC president Dana White stood up for Velasquez, and everyone was angry that Goularte was released on bail while such accusations were made against him. In the court of public opinion, Velasquez was a hero for many people even though the violence was involved in his actions.

Many UFC fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier who is a friend and teammate of Velasquez and Ronda Rousey demanded for the release of Velasquez. Cormier however, specifically defended Velasquez’s action stating that the man was acting in defense of his family and therefore his actions although violent were justifiable.

Outside of the MMA community there are many people who could understand why Velasquez could have felt compelled to do such a thing. The idea of a father protecting his child resonated with many and people wondered whether the justice system let down both Velasquez and his family by releasing Goularte on charges of such a terrible crime.

Yet, as it has been highlighted, the legal system does not work on the basis of the popularity of the case or on emotion. The accusations leveled against Velasquez were grave and the man was capable of firing a weapon in public, a move that put the lives of people in danger. Although everybody could understand Velasquez’s intentions, it was still a fact that he acted against the law as a vigilante.

Legal Battle and the Upcoming Sentencing

Cain Velasquez was denied bail successively after his arrest which made him stay in jail for a long time before his trial. They said that Velasquez’s actions were criminal but done with a purpose of protecting his family and stopping any harm that his loved ones could be subjected to. Though, the court argued that based on the nature of the incident and the use of a firearm in a public place, more severe penalties are deserved for Velasquez.

The defense counsel of Velasquez tried to arrange a plea bargain that could help in reducing his jail term but the charges that he faced included attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. In the event that Velasquez receives a harsh sentence, he will be behind bars for a long time and this will put a curtain on his MMA career and public life.

As Velasquez awaits sentencing, the question looms large: what effect will this chapter of his life have on his future?

Legacy in Question: Consequences of Using Violence

Cain Velasquez’s upcoming sentencing is a rather tricky question when it comes to evaluating the fighter’s legacy. On the one hand, the legal problems that he has now do not affect the results he gained in the UFC. His two times heavyweight championship, the win over Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos and the efforts he made to promote Mexican and Latino fighters in the MMA are feats that cannot be wiped off the records.

Nevertheless, the fact that the incident was violent and the fact that Velasquez could be behind bars for a long time affects the way he will be remembered. Fighters are usually portrayed as heroes and Velasquez’s actions outside the cage are not far from being a hero and a criminal. Some will still look at him as a protector and a father fighting for his family while others will consider it as a tragic downfall of a man who once symbolized the best of the sport.

For Velasquez’s supporters, the story of his legal issues will most probably be one of sympathy. The stress and the pressure that the accusations against Goularte had caused him, added to the inefficiency of the justice system, could be considered as a reason for Velasquez’s drastic action. In this light, his legacy may be one of a fighter who like many others was human and had his flaws, motivated by love and the protection of his family.

But from a wider point of view, the following sentencing poses a number of questions concerning the responsibility of athletes as public figures. MMA fighters like any other professional athletes are expected to be role models and act in certain ways. Velasquez’s actions, though one can try to comprehend them on the basis of personal motives, were unlawful and threatened other people’s lives. This duality between Velasquez the warrior and Velasquez the individual will define the legacy of this man in the eyes of the future generations.

Effects on the MMA Community.

The consequences of Cain Velasquez’s legal case do not only concern his person and professional career. The MMA community, which is still struggling with such important issues as the questions of fighter remuneration, fighter protection, and the image of the sport, has to address the new problem of Velasquez’s actions and the changing perception of the sport. Given that a sport that has gone through great lengths to disassociate itself from what has been referred to as ‘barbaric’ has Velasquez’s case.

Velasquez’s case has also raised issues on the psychological and the physical state of fighters, in and out of the cage. This is because fighters are celebrities who are exposed to various pressures that make them act in ways that are not very sensible, besides the fact that they are physically and mentally drained from the sport. Velasquez’s legal fight might open up the discussion regarding the necessity of mental health services and assistance for the fighters going through a difficult period in their lives.

Also, the case of Velasquez has brought back the issue of justice in relation to child abuse cases in the society. Some have asked if the justice system let down Velasquez and his family by permitting Goularte to be freed on bail and if there was not enough done to shield the alleged victim. Such discussions may result in alteration of future practices concerning such cases, with more emphasis on the psychological effect on the families concerned.

Conclusion: Cain Velasquez and the Future of the UFC

While Cain Velasquez awaits sentencing, his future and the future of the organisation he represented is uncertain. For a fighter who has done so much in the sport of MMA, the legal battle is a moment that will define him and his career more than anything he has done in the octagon. It is a rags to riches story of a man who overcame adversity in his personal and professional life while also facing the challenges of being in the public eye and having to live up to the expectations of the society.

Therefore, it is for the legal system to determine the fate of Velasquez and the MMA community, his fans, and the public will determine how to view him. Some people will continue to view him as the champion – in the ring and out of it – who tried to defend his family. For others, the fact that he had to turn to violence will taint what would have otherwise been a great career. In any case, Cain Velasquez’s tale is far from finished and his tale will go on developing in the futur