Javier Mendez, the longtime coach and close friend of former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, is publicly expressing his disagreement with the recent prison sentence imposed on his fighter.
Velasquez`s legal troubles concluded this past March when he received a five-year prison sentence, which includes time already served. This followed his plea of no contest to multiple charges, including attempted murder, stemming from his 2022 arrest. The incident involved Velasquez engaging in a high-speed pursuit where he fired a .40-caliber handgun at a vehicle containing Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s son. Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, sustained non-life threatening injuries during the event.
Although the 42-year-old Velasquez is anticipated to serve less than two additional years behind bars, Mendez firmly believes he should not spend any more time in jail. “They got it wrong,” Mendez stated in an interview. He argued that while Velasquez`s actions were technically incorrect, they were driven by the primal instinct of a father protecting his children, leading him to lose control.
Mendez referenced an electroencephalogram (EEG) test performed on Velasquez, which he claims indicated “zero impulsivity and zero control” in the moment of the incident, likening it to extreme road rage. Mendez contended that this suggests a condition requiring therapy and support rather than incarceration. While acknowledging the wrongness of Velasquez`s actions, Mendez controversially added that, personally, he would have killed the alleged molester, though perhaps in a more discreet manner, emphasizing the emotional gravity of threats against one`s children.
Velasquez has been transferred to Wasco State Prison in California and is eligible for parole in March 2026. His potential release date could be earlier based on his conduct and participation in prison programs. Mendez expects Velasquez to adapt well to prison life, having heard positive reports from correctional staff and inmates alike. He described Velasquez as an exceptionally “beautiful, genuine person” who is willing to help others, assuring that Cain is safe within the system.
However, Mendez shared his deep pain concerning Velasquez`s inability to be present for his son`s court hearing against the alleged molester, scheduled for June. He highlighted the heartbreak of the child facing court proceedings while his father remains in jail. The Velasquez family has also initiated a civil lawsuit against Goularte and the daycare facility owned by Goularte`s mother in San Martin, California, where the alleged molestation took place.
Furthermore, Mendez sharply criticized the prosecutor involved in the case, calling him a “piece of shit” for aggressively pursuing a 30-year sentence. Mendez accused the prosecutor of prioritizing career advancement over justice and mischaracterizing Velasquez as a menace. He asserted that anyone who truly knows Cain Velasquez understands he is a kind, safe individual who would protect others.
