Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez pleads no contest to attempted murder of man accused of sexually assaulting his son at day care center

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez pleaded no contest to charges of attempted murder and assault in California Friday. 

The 42-year-old was facing an attempted murder trial after allegedly shooting a man accused of molesting his then-four-year-old son after a high-car speed chase in February 2022. 

Velasquez, a two-time UFC champion, entered his no contest plea before Judge Arthur Bocanegra at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, California, in exchange for a lighter sentence. 

As a result, the premeditated murder charges against him will be dropped, meaning he will no longer face a mandatory sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole. 

'This defendant decided to become judge, jury, and executioner. His actions endangered innocent bystanders, including young children and their parents who could have been injured or killed as he shot at his intended victim,' District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. 'We have excellent law enforcement in this county. Let them do their jobs.' 

UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez pleaded no contest to attempted murder charges

His trial was due to begin on September 9, according to the Mercury News, but following his plea, a sentence hearing has been set for October 18. The actual sentencing is reportedly expected at a later date. 

The sentencing recommendation provided by the country probation department will weigh up the severity of the incident against Velasquez's lack of criminal history and the sexual abuse case against Goularte, according to ESPN. 

Velasquez was arrested after reportedly chasing a pickup carrying Harry Goularte, who is accused of sexually abusing the fighter's then-four-year-old son at a day care owned by Goularte's mother.

He is said to have rammed the vehicle with his own pickup truck during an 11-mile (18-kilometer) high-speed chase on February 28, 2022.

Velasquez allegedly fired a .40-caliber pistol at the vehicle several times, missing his target and wounding Goularte's stepfather, Paul Bender, who was driving. Goularte's mother, Patricia, was also in the vehicle. 

He was arrested without incident following the car chase and was released from jail in November 2022 on a $1million bail while awaiting trial.

Velasquez (left) chased and fired multiple rounds at a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte (right) who is accused of sexually assaulting the fighter's then-four-year-old son

Velasquez was released from jail in November 2022 on a $1million bail while awaiting trial

Goularte continues to face child molestation charges. He pleaded not guilty in June 2022. 

In February, Velasquez's son told police that Goularte had taken him to the bathroom of a Patty's Childcare in San Martin center - 34 minutes south of San Jose by car- where he then proceeded to molest him by touching his genitals, according to court documents. 

The minor further said that Goularte had ask him not to tell anyone about the incident and that this situation might have occurred '100 times'. 

The child has also reportedly told police that Goularte was also seen going to the bathroom with other kids. He has already been charged with one felony count of a lewd and lascivious act for child molestation, according to TMZ.