Joe Rogan expressed his belief that former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez should not serve prison time for his actions against a man accused of molesting his son, arguing that Velasquez acted out of a justifiable “murderous rage” and suggesting that he should be pardoned.
Joe Rogan can’t wrap his head around why Cain Velasquez, once the UFC heavyweight champ, has to spend even a day in jail.
Back in March, Velasquez was hit with a five-year prison sentence. He pleaded no-contest to several charges, including attempted murder. This all started in 2022 after an intense 11-mile car chase. Velasquez was after Harry Goularte, accused of molesting his son at a daycare run by Goularte’s mom. In the chaos, Velasquez fired a .40-caliber handgun at Goularte’s car, hitting his stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm.
On his podcast, Rogan chatted about the ordeal with Ilia Topuria, a former UFC featherweight champ.
“He did what any dad would do,” Rogan said. “If you’re not a parent, you just can’t grasp the kind of rage you’d feel if someone hurt your child. It’s indescribable unless you’ve been there.”
“I mean, if there’s ever been a case for temporary insanity, this is it,” he added. “A father chasing down the guy who molested his kid? Totally understandable…”
Rogan continued, “Everyone gets it. He shouldn’t be locked up. He’s not a threat or danger to society; he’s already done three years… It’s just horrific. I don’t get it.”
“The judge had no choice but to sentence him,” Rogan lamented. “They were pushing for 30 years for attempted murder since he was firing shots while driving. Sure, it’s risky—could’ve hit someone else. But the rage? Justified. If he’d killed that guy, maybe the world would be better off.”
Velasquez got credit for 1,283 days served before heading back to prison post-sentencing.
Recently in Miami for UFC 314—with President Trump attending—Rogan called the action ringside. The comedian and podcaster hopes Trump might intervene to help Velasquez, possibly with some nudging from UFC CEO Dana White.
“I hope Trump pardons him,” Rogan expressed. “Maybe Dana can pull some strings.”