Bryce Mitchell calls on authorities to pardon Cain Velasquez, suggests harsh punishment for crimes against children

C. Velasquez was arrested for attempted murder (Photo: San Jose Police)

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Cain Velasquez's five-year prison sentence last Monday (24) generated a series of reactions from various MMA personalities. The former UFC heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) was responsible for a shooting in California in February 2022, when he chased and shot at a truck carrying Harry Goularte, accused of molesting his four-year-old son. Amid this situation, Bryce Mitchell publicly expressed his support for the former fighter.

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Known for his strong opinions, Mitchell wasted no time in showing his understanding of Velasquez's situation. The American even appealed to the authorities to forgive the former fighter in a video posted on social media.

"Forgive Cain Velasquez and send those child molesters to the death penalty. That's what I would do," said Mitchell, who faces Jean Silva at UFC 314.

️ Bryce Mitchell : “Pardon Cain Velasquez and put these child molesters to death. That's what I would do.”

@ThugnastyMMA #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/EOXqz0STxI

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 25, 2025

Velasquez regretted what happened

Cain Velasquez had been under house arrest since November 2022. More recently, in an interview with fellow former UFC fighter Kyle Kingsbury, he expressed remorse for what he had done.

“We can’t take the law into our own hands. I know what I did, and I know what I did was very dangerous to other people, you know? Not just the people involved, but innocent people. I understand what I did, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make amends,” Cain said.

Harry Goularte is accused of molesting Cain Velasquez 's young son (Photo: Reproduction)

At the time of the shooting, Goularte was traveling to San Jose to retrieve an electronic monitoring bracelet. The chase lasted about 17 kilometers and when he started shooting, the former fighter shot the defendant's stepfather, who was driving the truck, twice. The bullets hit his arm and torso, but the man recovered from his injuries.

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