Cain Velasquez – Page 2 – Syndication Server

MMA Junkie’s 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time: Full list and videos

To commemorate the UFC’s 30th anniversary, this is our definitive list of the promotion’s 30 greatest fighters of all time.

To commemorate the UFC’s 30th anniversary, MMA Junkie has compiled its definitive list of the 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time. We revealed one every day until the anniversary of UFC 1, which took place Nov. 12, 1993.

Our complete rankings, along with videos for each fighter, can be viewed below.

About the list: All 12 members of our staff submitted their own individual 30 greatest UFC fighters list. Each fighter was assigned a corresponding numerical value based on where they were ranked on an individual’s list, i.e. No. 1 = 30, No. 2 = 29, etc. We took those numbers and added them up to get a total number for each fighter to determine the composite ranking of MMA Junkie’s 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time.

Ex-UFC champ Cain Velasquez gets deep while recounting lessons from time in jail

Former UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez learned to appreciate the little things while behind bars.

The last year or so has been tumultuous for [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] and his family.

The former UFC heavyweight champion was arrested and put in jail for over eight months in 2022 for attempted murder charges on a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son. It was all around a horrible situation that moved the entire MMA community.

Now free on bail, Velasquez can take away major lessons from his time in the Santa Clara County jail. Lessons he carries today with him.

“I took the opportunity to be with myself at the time – it was good and bad, but mainly good,” Velasquez said on the JAXXON PODCAST. “I believe a lot of people should experience something like that, like have their freedoms taken away, to appreciate what you have, and it’s the smallest things that we take for granted.”

Velasquez is one of the most beloved figures in the MMA world. He was also at one point the baddest man on the planet when he reigned as UFC heavyweight champion in the early 2010s.

Yet, despite being widely successful and on top of the world in his profession, Velasquez learned to appreciate the little things, not lavish things, in his time in jail.

“We’re so blessed every day, and we’re down on the dumbest things,” Velasquez explained. ‘When sh*t gets taken away, you realize, ‘Oh, I had all this and this.’ I had the opportunity to just leave when I want to. Get in my car and go outside, look at nature. Have the opportunity to go look at something like that and appreciate the day. Each day, each moment, just looking at a tree, something so small like that. That tree will never look like that ever again except that moment that you’re looking at it. It will never be the same. How the leaves are, how the wind is blowing. It will never be the same, except for that one moment. So take the time and appreciate, that moment was for you. So, little stuff like that.”

Although Velasquez was in tough circumstances, and still has to live, along with his family, with a rough past that’s very much present today, Velasquez sees his time in prison as mainly positive. It changed his perspective for the better.

“It wasn’t like I was in a bad place,” Velasquez said. “No, man. I’m here. I’m here. It doesn’t matter what (my surroundings) change to. I’ve been poor. I’ve been at the top. It doesn’t matter what I see. It’s always here. I’m always here. It matters what I make of this, what I feel inside. That’s what matters.”

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30 greatest UFC fighters of all time: Cain Velasquez ranked No. 24

The way Cain Velasquez blazed a trail for Mexican MMA and finished other dominant heavyweights of his era is why he’s among our 30 greatest UFC fighters.

The UFC is celebrating its 30th year and to commemorate the milestone, MMA Junkie has compiled its 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time. Every day until the anniversary of UFC 1 on Nov. 12 (1993), we will reveal one fighter on our list.

Today, MMA Junkie reporter Nolan King brings you No. 24: [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag].

You can watch King’s career retrospective on Velasquez above; video produced by Ken Hathaway.

Also see:

Cain Velasquez: Jon Jones ‘mentally the strongest competitor,’ but Stipe Miocic brings so many threats

Cain Velasquez finds it hard to pick against Jon Jones, but isn’t counting Stipe Miocic out.

[autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] finds it hard to pick against [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag], but isn’t counting [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] out.

Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) challenges heavyweight champion Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) in the UFC 295 headliner Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Velasquez praised Jones for his unbreakable mind, but thinks Miocic is well-rounded enough to pose a threat.

“I mean, Jon Jones: the greatest ever. The greatest ever that you’re ever going to see – especially somebody at that weight class, 205, and now heavyweight,” Velasquez told The Schmo. “Obviously a complete fighter, mentally the strongest competitor that you’re going to face out there, but there is always that puncher’s chance. There’s always that maybe chance.

“That’s what continues to bring interest in the fights. Stipe, the greatest heavyweight out there, arguably. He brings so many threats to Jon Jones. Obviously, your gut will tell you that Jon Jones may come out of this on top. But there’s always that maybe, and Stipe’s one of those guys that can bring out that big maybe in this fight.”

The oddsmakers aren’t favoring Miocic to dethrone Jones. According to DraftKings, Miocic is a +310 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on the former two-time heavyweight champion would net a $310 profit. Jones is a -395 favorite, meaning a $395 bet would be needed on the champion to return $100 profit.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

Cain Velasquez attempted murder trial timeline revealed by judge

Legal proceedings of former UFC champion Cain Velasquez pick back up as a trial looms. He faces attempted murder and other charges.

The legal proceedings of former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] have largely stalled over the past year. However, light has been shed as to when his trial for attempted murder and other charges will begin.

Wednesday at Santa Clara County (Calif.) Hall of Justice during a pre-trial hearing, Judge Daniel T. Nishagaya briefly heard from both the prosecution and defense before he determined the next move would be a final trial setting date of Dec. 6 with the intent of a trial to begin in January 2024.

“I am willing to give this another setting date with the understanding I will be intending to set a trial date in the middle-to-later part of January, on Dec. 6,” Nishagaya said.”

The hearing was Velasquez’s fifth trial setting dating back to January. Each was continued at the request of the defense.

Velasquez was not present in person at Wednesday’s hearing. Various Goularte supporters appeared in the attendance log of the hearing on Zoom with hashtags like #Cain2Trial and #NoMentalDiversion4Cain as usernames.

Velasquez, 40, already pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including attempted murder after he allegedly chased and shot at a vehicle containing three people in February 2022. Velasquez spent over eight months in jail before he was granted bail with stipulations in November.

According to prosecutors, Velasquez targeted Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s then-four-year-old son at a daycare, but shot Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender instead, which caused injury.

Goularte was arrested prior to the alleged shooting and faces one felony charge of lewd acts with a minor under the age of 14. Goularte has pleaded not guilty and will be due back in court for his own trial setting date Nov. 15.

The Velasquez family has also filed a civil lawsuit against the Goulartes, Bender, and businesses with addresses listed out of the daycare location, which was run by Goularte’s mother, Patricia.

If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison, according to the California penal code.

For continuing coverage of the case, visit MMA Junkie’s hub for the Cain Velasquez trial.

Harry Goularte trial setting delayed again in child molestation case

Harry Goularte, the man who allegedly sexually assaulted the young son of former UFC champion Cain Velasquez, currently awaits trial.

The man who allegedly sexually assaulted the young son of former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] won’t go to trial until September at the earliest.

Harry Goularte appeared virtually in Santa Clara County (Calif.) court Wednesday. Presiding Judge Daniel T. Nishigaya granted his trial-setting hearing be continued until Aug. 30. Goularte has pleaded not guilty to one felony count of lewd acts with a child after he was accused of inappropriately touching the then-4-year-old boy at a daycare center.

If found guilty, Goularte could face up to eight years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. There is currently a coinciding civil lawsuit filed by the Velasquez family against Goularte, as well as Goularte’s family and related businesses.

Police arrested Goularte in February 2022 after an investigation and interview with the child. Goularte was released from custody two days later on $50,000 bail with the stipulation of GPS monitoring. Three days later, Velasquez was arrested after he allegedly chased and shot at a car that contained Goularte and Goularte’s family members.

Velasquez was incarcerated for nearly nine months before he was eventually granted bail in November 2022. Velasquez faces a number of felony charges, including attempted murder. He is out of custody on GPS monitoring and has partaken in professional wrestling matches in recent months. Velasquez is due back in court for a trial setting date of his own Aug. 2.

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Cain Velasquez court proceedings continue to stall as trial setting pushed back again

The court proceedings for ex-UFC champion Cain Velasquez continue to stall.

The trial for former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] has been pushed back once again.

After multiple continuations delayed date setting, Velasquez and his defense attorney Renee Hessling appeared in Santa Clara County (Calif.) court Wednesday where Judge Panteha Saban granted their request to move the hearing once again – this time, to Aug. 2. The request was met with no objection from the district attorney’s office.

Velasquez, 40, has already pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including attempted murder after he allegedly chased and shot at a vehicle containing three people in February 2022. Velasquez spent over eight months in jail before he was granted bail with stipulations in November.

The Velasquez family has also filed a civil lawsuit against the Goulartes, Bender, and businesses with addresses listed out of the daycare location, which was run by Goularte’s mother, Patricia.

If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison, according to the California penal code.

Cain Velasquez trial setting date pushed back two months

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was back in Santa Clara County court Wednesday.

The trial setting hearing for former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] has been pushed back.

Velasquez was present in-person Wednesday for a hearing at Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif., during which his lead attorney, Renee Hessling, requested the matter be continued to a later date. Judge Daniel T. Nishigaya granted the request, with a rescheduled date of Wednesday, May 24.

If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison, according to the California penal code.

Harry Goularte waives right to speedy trial as date setting delayed one month

The man accused of molesting the son of former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez went before the court (virtually) Monday.

It’ll be at least four more weeks until accused child molester Harry Goularte gets a date for trial.

At a trial setting hearing held Monday at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif., Goularte waived his right to a speedy trial. The date setting hearing was rescheduled for April 12. Goularte did not attend the hearing in person but joined virtually.

Goularte, 44, previously pleaded not guilty to one felony charge of lewd acts with a minor under the age of 14. He was arrested in February 2022 after he allegedly touched the genitals of a child in a bathroom at a daycare run by his mother. The child was later identified as the then-4-year-old son of former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag].

At a Feb. 27 hearing, Velasquez’s son, Cain Jr., took the stand to testify and reaffirmed claims that Goularte touched his penis. Cain Jr. received questioning from both Deputy District Attorney Robert Philbrook and Goularte defense attorney Stephen DeFilippis.

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After his initial booking, Goularte was released on terms of bail, including GPS monitoring. Days later, Velasquez was arrested after he allegedly followed Goularte and Goularte’s family in a high-speed chase in broad daylight as he discharged a firearm. Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, was allegedly struck in the arm and suffered a debilitating injury.

Out on bail since November, Velasquez has pleaded not guilty as he faces a handful of charges, including attempted murder. Velasquez is due back in court Wednesday for a trial setting date of his own.

Enrique Barzola glad to have Cain Velasquez back coaching at AKA: ‘He’s truly pushing us to our limit’

Enrique Barzola is happy to see Cain Velasquez back coaching at AKA.

[autotag]Enrique Barzola[/autotag] is excited to return to the Bellator cage on Friday.

“The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2” winner is eager for his first fight of 2023. He’s set to take on veteran Erik Perez in a featherweight contest at Bellator 292 at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Not only will Barzola (18-7-2 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) get a chance to snap a two-fight skid and restart a campaign for the Bellator bantamweight title, but he’ll also get to fight having prepared with none other than former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag].

Velasquez is back to coaching the MMA team at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose after he was granted bail this past November in his case of attempted murder involving a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son.

“At the moment, he’s a coach of the team,” Barzola told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “He’s working with us. He’s working with all the fighters, from the young ones to the ones that have a long trajectory in MMA. He helps us focus. He supports and pushes us with all the experience that he has. He was a great fighter, he was champion, so we all admire him at the gym.”

Barzola, who’s been training at AKA for the past several years, has experienced training under Velasquez before and after his legal situation arose. The Peruvian fighter sees a difference.

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“He’s always supported the fighters, even before this situation happened,” Barzola said. “Then he goes through that situation, he spent like half a year locked up because of what happened, and now he returns, and with a great attitude. His attitude just has so much excitement. He’s really pushing us.

“He’s not training us like he’s a retired fighter, and now he’s a coach. He’s training us like if he were still fighting. He’s really supportive, and he’s sharing all his experience with us. He’s truly pushing us to our limit. He’s a great coach.”

Barzola enters Bellator 292 on the heels of defeats to top contender Magomed Magomedov and former champion Juan Archuleta. Prior to the pair of loses, Barzola had a 2-0 start in Bellator, defeating Nikita Mikhailov and Darrion Caldwell.

After competing against some of the best in Bellator, Barzola thinks he can still put together wins and make another run for the title.

“Absolutely,” Barzola said. “If not, I wouldn’t be training. I still want to train hard every day. I have that discipline of waking up early, eating well, training hard, and everything needed to keep climbing. This sport is of ups and downs. I’m an experienced fighter and I plan on moving upwards. I’m waiting for my moment, and I’m focused. I’m going to be ready.

“I’m going to win two or three more fight, and then I can deserve to fight for the title. I don’t want the title right now, but it will come through my work and good results. I’m focused on this fight and hopefully next year I can be in a position to fight for the title.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 292.

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