Joe Rogan is puzzled by the fact that former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is serving time in prison.
Velasquez received a five-year prison sentence in March after entering a no-contest plea to several charges, including attempted murder. This stemmed from a 2022 incident where Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile high-speed chase. He was pursuing Harry Goularte, who was accused of sexually abusing Velasquez`s son at a daycare owned by Goularte`s mother. During the chase, Velasquez fired multiple shots from a .40-caliber handgun at Goularte`s vehicle, and one bullet hit Goularte`s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm.
Rogan discussed the situation with former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria on his podcast.
“He did what any father would have done,” Rogan stated. “If you aren`t a parent, you can`t truly grasp the intense anger you`d feel if someone harmed your child. It`s a blinding rage that`s hard to describe unless you`ve experienced it as a parent.”
“If there was ever a case for temporary insanity, this is it. If anyone could justifiably claim temporary insanity, it’s a father pursuing someone, especially a man who abused his son.”
“Everyone understands his reaction,” Rogan continued. “He shouldn’t be in jail at all. He’s not a threat to anyone, he’s not dangerous, and he shouldn’t be imprisoned. The fact he already spent three years… it’s terrible. I just don’t get it.”
“I understand the judge had to impose a sentence, and I suppose this was the minimum. They initially considered giving him 30 years for attempted murder because he was shooting. Of course, shooting while driving is incredibly dangerous and could harm innocent people. But, he was also acting out of understandable fury, and frankly, if he had killed the guy, in my opinion, the world would be better off.”
Velasquez was credited with time served for 1,283 days of his five-year sentence before returning to prison after sentencing.
Rogan recently commentated at UFC 314 in Miami, an event attended by former President Donald Trump. The commentator, podcaster, and comedian hopes Trump might pardon Velasquez, possibly with the help of UFC CEO Dana White.
“I hope Trump pardons him,” Rogan said. “I hope Dana can make something happen to help.”
