Cain Velasquez is practically a free man – and many in the combat sports community and beyond are rejoycing.
A multitime UFC heavyweight champion, Velasquez was released on parole Sunday from Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, Calif. The emotional moment he reunited with his family outside the confines of incarceration was captured on video by a mariachi band, who played music throughout.
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Velasquez, 43, spent 11 months in prison after he pled no contest to multiple felony charges, attempted murder among them. Velasquez fired a hand gun at a man, Harry Goularte, who was accused of molesting Velasquez’s young son at a daycare. Velasquez pursued Goularte and his family in a high-speed car chase, shooting Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender in the arm.
Throughout the case, Velasquez had strong local support that quickly gained traction internationally. The support has never been stronger than now, as thousands shared positive messages on social media following his release.
Check out a sample of such messages from notable names below.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: ‘Welcome Home’: MMA community reacts to Cain Velasquez’s prison release