Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is still behind bars in the most polarizing criminal case in combat sports. After his arrest for attempted murder over the abuse of his child, the mixed martial arts world has put its full support behind his plight.
His American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) teammate and former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov, revealed that he plans to visit Velasquez for moral support.
Support From The Eagle
“Yesterday, I was talking with coach, Jav (AKA head coach Javier Mendez),” Nurmagomedov said to TMZ. “I tell him any chance or is it possible to go and see him in jail? In Russia, we can go and see anybody like I asked him because I don’t know the law here in the U.S. I really wanna go to see him. After a couple of days, I’m gonna be in San Jose. I wanna go to see him, shake his hand, give him good energy.”
Since he retired from the sport of MMA, the undefeated former champion has been in his native Russia. However, as a new promoter with his Eagle FC promotion which holds events in the United States, Nurmagomedov is back in America after having an Eagle FC fight in Miami, Florida, on May 20.
Khabib understands rough justice. He famously jumped the Octagon cage to settle the score with Conor McGregor and his teammates during their fight at UFC 229 in 2018. Both fighters were suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Cain Velasquez’s attorney Mark Geragos tells ESPN that he found the court decision today to deny Velasquez bail for a second time “very disappointing” and “infuriating." Velasquez is due back in court June 10 for a plea hearing.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) May 16, 2022
The Price Of Protecting Your Family
“Anybody in the world who respects himself, who loves his family, he’s gonna do same thing,” Khabib continued. “C’mon, nobody gonna think about law or something when you have something about your family. You have to protect your family.”
Velasquez is charged with firing a .40 caliber handgun on a highway in San Jose at a car carrying Harry Goularte, who is accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son. The driver, Goularte’s stepfather, was shot and seriously wounded. Goularte’s mother, who also was in the car, escaped injury in the incident that came after Velasquez reportedly had chased the three for 11 miles.
Goularte, 43, has reportedly been out on bail since February. His court conditions are that he must stay at home with an electronic monitoring bracelet and cannot be within 100 yards of any child under 14.
What About The Other Guy?
“This is not fair to sit in jail and other guy, he’s outside,” Khabib continued. “What about other guy? Put this guy in jail, too! He’s more dangerous for people than Cain Velasquez.”
“Never in his life, he’s 40-years-old, never in his life did he have a problem in (society), you know, outside with people,” Khabid added. “He’s the most respectful guy I’ve ever seen in my life. I was training with him more than 10 years, I know his family, everybody.”
Cain Velasquez talks about his work ethic and where it comes from. pic.twitter.com/yox2FOoMpQ
— Tony Hernandez (@TonyHTonyH) May 21, 2022
A Glimmer Of Hope
Currently, Velasquez’s attorney, Mark Geragos, is using a defense rooted in potential brain trauma or CTE from his professional fighting career.
Last week, Judge Shelyna Brown stated in a court hearing that brain injuries “might be a suitable defense or a pertinent defense or something that should be considered for mitigation.”
With fighters starting fundraising campaigns by selling FREE CAIN T-shirts and the plethora of voices in the sport showing support, Khabib’s potential visit is a big statement toward the solidarity around Velasquez’s case.
