Cain Velasquez makes first statement since release from prison
Cain Velasquez has made his first public comments since being released from prison.
The former UFC heavyweight champion was released on parole on February 15. Velasquez had been serving time in a California state prison after being sentenced to five years in March 2025. However, due to credits for time served while awaiting trial, he was released after 11 months.
Velasquez posted to Instagram on Thursday, saying:
“Now that it’s been a couple of weeks since my release, I’ve had some time to kind of get back into things, get back into a normal way of life, get used to just doing the normal things, being home with the family, being there for my kids. And I just wanted to thank everybody for their love and support. Your words of inspiration, of encouragement, constantly just lifted me up, myself and my family.”
“I didn’t want to overwhelm myself with the pace of life that I was getting used to, to now, all of a sudden, a new way of life, a new way of living, a new rhythm. So for myself, I just had to kind of get used to it. And I’ve been doing that. So again, just thank you. Thank you. And it’s good to it’s good to be out.”
Velasquez captioned his post with:
“Blessed to be out, thank you to all for the love and support; you all have lifted me up so high. Grateful for all the understanding thus far and I look forward to a road of service.”
Numerous names from around the MMA and wrestling worlds have also commented on Velasquez’s post.
“Respect,” wrote Bobby Lashley.
“🙌🏾💪🏾🙏🏾,” wrote R-Truth.
In August 2024, Velasquez pleaded no contest to charges of attempted murder, felony assault, and other gun offenses. The charges stemmed from a February 2022 incident in Santa Clara County, California. Velasquez was arrested following a high-speed chase during which he fired a handgun at a vehicle carrying a man he believed had abused his son. The man’s stepfather, who was also in the vehicle, was shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Velasquez’s post is below:
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.