Cain Velasquez attempted murder trial to begin on Sept. 9

Former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez appeared in court on Wednesday with his lawyer Renee Hessling requesting a continuance for his attempted murder trial.  Judge Elizabeth Peterson denied the continuance motion and set the trial date for September 9.  

Velasquez was arrested in February 2022 after allegedly chasing a vehicle containing Harry Goularte, a man accused of sexually assaulting Velasquez’ son at a daycare owned by Goularte’s family.  During the incident, Velasquez allegedly rammed the vehicle before pulling along side it and firing shots through the window.  He missed his intended target and instead shot Goularte’s step father, Paul Bender.  Bender suffered non-life threatening injuries.  

Goularte had been arrested and released on bond prior to the alleged car chase and shooting.  He was charged with one count of lewd acts with a child, among other charges.  

Next, Velasquez will appear in court on June 26 for a trial readiness hearing.  Velasquez plead not guilty to the charges which include attempted murder.  The attempted murder charge alone carries a minimum 20-year sentence or up to life in prison if convicted. 

Velasquez held the UFC heavyweight championship twice during his 13-year mixed martial arts career.  He last fought in February 2019, losing to Francis Ngannou by knockout at UFC on ESPN 1.  Velasquez announced his retirement from MMA on October 11, 2019.