Javier Mendez, the coach and close friend of Cain Velasquez, continues to express unwavering support for the fighter.
The legal troubles for the two-time UFC heavyweight champion concluded in March with a five-year prison sentence, including time already served. This followed his no-contest plea to multiple charges, including attempted murder, stemming from an incident in 2022. Velasquez also faced felony assault and gun charges after he engaged in a high-speed pursuit and fired a .40-caliber handgun at a vehicle occupied by Harry Goularte, who is accused of molesting Velasquez`s son. Paul Bender, Goularte’s stepfather, was struck and sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.
While the 42-year-old Velasquez is projected to serve less than two additional years incarcerated, Mendez firmly believes he should be released immediately.
“They got it wrong,” Mendez told Canal Encarada. “He shouldn’t have got any time. Yes, he did things that were wrong, but when a father is protecting his children, we can lose control, and he lost his head. A test, an EEG, which examines brain function, showed he had zero impulsivity and zero control in that moment. This indicates, much like someone experiencing extreme road rage, that he was in a state with no control or thought process. This is something that can be managed and worked on, which he has been doing, and it shouldn`t be grounds for a prison sentence. It`s something that needs to be fixed, because undoubtedly, what he did was wrong. It was wrong.
“But how many of us would have felt differently if he had only gone after the person allegedly molesting his child? Personally, I would have killed the guy myself. But I wouldn’t have done it the way Cain did. I wouldn’t have done that. I would have handled it more discreetly, made sure I wasn`t implicated, and I would have killed that guy. You mess with my child? I’m sorry, that’s a completely different situation. You will not touch my children. So Cain Velasquez wasn`t thinking clearly when this happened, and the court system made the wrong decision.”
Velasquez has been transferred to Wasco State Prison near Bakersfield, Calif., and is eligible for parole in March 2026. This parole date could potentially be moved up based on various factors, including his conduct and participation in prison programs.
Mendez anticipates Velasquez will handle his time in prison well, noting that he has heard positive reports about Velasquez`s attitude in a difficult situation.
“Regarding how he’s doing in there, I knew he would be fine because I’ve heard from everyone at the sheriff`s department who works at the jail, guards and all, that they like him and everyone gets along with him,” Mendez said. “Inmates get along with him. I was certain that would happen. Cain Velasquez is the most genuinely good-hearted person you could ever meet; he cares about everyone and is willing to help anyone. So I know he is safe inside.”
“The only thing that truly pains me is his child’s court case, which is coming up in June. The boy was allegedly molested, and he doesn’t understand where his father is, why his father can’t be with him, and then he has to go to court. This young boy will face the alleged child molester in court, and where will his father be? In jail? That’s what really affects me.”
Goularte, accused of molesting Velasquez’s son at a daycare run by Goularte’s mother in San Martin, Calif., is expected to have his next court appearance in June. The Velasquez family has also filed a civil lawsuit against Goularte and the daycare.
Mendez expressed gratitude that Velasquez did not receive a harsher sentence due to what he perceives as an overly aggressive prosecutor.
“The prosecutor is contemptible because he pushed for a 30-year sentence,” Mendez said. “I despise people like that who don’t consider what’s right or wrong, they are just focused on advancing their career, portraying him as a threat. He was never a threat to anyone. If you know Cain Velasquez, and everyone who knows him will attest to this, your child is safe, you are safe with this man. If there’s anyone you’d want to protect your child or yourself, it`s Cain Velasquez.”
