Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is finally breathing fresh air after spending the last 11 months in the slammer. The 43-year-old walked out of the California state prison on Sunday on parole, according to his long-time agent, Mike Fonseca. And UFC CEO Dana White was among the first to comment on Velasquez’s release.

“Yeah, I’m happy for him,” Dana White told a gaggle of reporters during the Zuffa Boxing 3 post-fight press conference upon being asked about his thoughts on the matter. “Obviously, to get home to his family, and you know what they went through. If that wasn’t bad enough, the guy’s been in jail this whole time, but yeah.”

After ‘Cardio Cain’ was arrested in February 2022, the UFC came out in support of Velasquez. UFC CEO Dana White went as far as to pen a letter to the court. White described Velasquez as a “model example of how a professional athlete should carry himself.” The former champion was granted a $1 million bail and placed on house arrest in November 2022. 

It wasn’t until March 2025 that Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison, with credit for 1,283 days served. He pleaded no contest to charges filed against him connected to a shooting, where the 43-year-old chased and repeatedly shot at Harry Goularte’s vehicle, which also carried Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender. 

Meanwhile, Goularte was accused of molesting Velasquez’s then 4-year-old son. Unfortunately, Goularte’s stepfather was shot and injured during the chase, which lasted for 11 miles. Goularte is still facing felony charges of lewd acts with a minor at a daycare owned by Goularte’s mother. To top it off, the former champion has also filed a civil lawsuit against him. 

The situation is a stark contrast to the fighter’s celebrated past. At the top of his career, Cain Velasquez won the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight title. He famously knocked out the biggest star UFC had at the time, Brock Lesnar, in October of 2010. Several of his fights remain fresh in the memory of fans, as he gained legendary status. Cain Velasquez finally called it quits in 2019. 

Although the 43-year-old is out of prison, his troubles aren’t completely over.

Cain Velasquez still has to deal with restitution

In addition to his conviction, California law dictates that the victims in violent crimes such as these will be paid restitution by the convicted. After an April 2025 hearing on the matter, Velasquez’s attorney, Renee Hessling, who has been dealing with restitution on the fighter’s behalf, claimed the victim’s demands were too high. 

“There definitely is restitution owed by Mr. Velasquez here,” Hessling said previously. “However, there are some claims that he owes money for their daycare, and they’re asking for 1 million dollars in restitution on that end.”

A restitution hearing, previously delayed for several months, is now set for March 18 to determine the amount Velasquez will have to pay.