Joe Rogan is struggling to understand why former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is facing any jail time at all.
Velasquez received a five-year prison sentence in March after entering a no-contest plea to several charges, including attempted murder. This stemmed from his 2022 arrest following an 11-mile high-speed chase. Velasquez was pursuing Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting Velasquez`s son at a daycare owned by Goularte`s mother. During the chase, Velasquez fired multiple shots from a .40-caliber handgun at Goularte`s vehicle, with one bullet hitting Goularte`s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm.
Rogan discussed the situation with former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria on his podcast.
“He did what any father would have done,” Rogan stated. “If you`re not a father, you can`t comprehend the murderous rage you`d feel if someone molested your child. It`s an unimaginable, red-hot anger that only parents can truly understand.”
“If there was ever a case for a temporary insanity plea, this is it,” Rogan continued. “If anyone is justified in claiming temporary insanity, it`s a father pursuing someone, especially a man who molested his son.”
“Everyone gets it,” Rogan added. “He shouldn`t have gone to jail. He`s not a threat to society, he`s not dangerous, he shouldn`t be imprisoned, especially after already serving three years… It`s appalling. I just don`t get it.”
“I realize the judge`s hands were tied, and a sentence had to be given, and I believe this is the minimum. They initially sought 30 years for attempted murder because he was firing at the guy. Of course, shooting while driving is incredibly dangerous; you could miss and hit an innocent bystander. But, he was also in a justifiable murderous rage, and frankly, if he had killed that guy, the world might be better off. That`s how I feel.”
Velasquez was credited with 1,283 days served before returning to prison after sentencing.
Rogan, who recently commentated at UFC 314 in Miami – an event attended by former President Donald Trump – hopes Trump might intervene to help Velasquez, possibly with the assistance of UFC CEO Dana White.
“I hope Trump pardons him,” Rogan said. “I hope Dana can make something happen.”
