Cain Velasquez can take some comfort for now, as his sentencing has been postponed until 2025.
Velasquez pleaded no contest in a California court this past August to charges of felony attempted murder, assault, and several other weapons-related offenses. The plea deal, aimed at securing a reduced sentence, also brought some closure to the ongoing case.
As reported by MMA journalist Damon Martin, the court announced during a sentencing hearing on Friday that the proceedings will be postponed until early next year, with the specific date yet to be determined.
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The former UFC heavyweight champion was embroiled in an attempted murder trial stemming from a February 2022 incident in which he reportedly fired multiple shots at Harry Goularte, who was accused of molesting his then-four-year-old son. Instead, Velasquez inadvertently struck the man’s stepfather, Paul Bender, following a high-speed car chase.
Velasquez allegedly fired several rounds at the vehicle using a .40-caliber handgun. However, rather than striking his intended target, he hit Bender in the arm, causing injuries that were not life-threatening.
After the car chase came to an end, Velasquez was taken into custody without resistance by the local police department. He faced a series of charges that kept him incarcerated for eight months before he was finally granted bail in November 2022 on a $1 million bond.
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After a remarkable career in the UFC that included two reigns as heavyweight champion, Velasquez announced his retirement from the promotion in October 2019. His final professional MMA bout ended in a swift 26-second knockout defeat to Francis Ngannou during a UFC Fight Night event in February 2019.