Exclusive: Cain Velasquez sits down for first TV interview since release from prison
The 43-year-old convicted felon is rebuilding his life and mentoring fighters.
Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez sat down with NBC Bay Area for his first television interview since serving time in prison for attempted murder.
Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez sat down with NBC Bay Area for his first television interview since serving time in prison for attempted murder.
Velasquez, who landed behind bars after targeting a man accused of molesting one of his young relatives, was released from Soledad State Prison in February. Today, the 43-year-old convicted felon is rebuilding his life and mentoring fighters. He hopes his story can teach younger people as he continues to learn about himself.
WATCH HEREAt American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, Velasquez has found a new purpose. He said he is both a student and teacher within the gym’s walls.
“It’s always both,” he said. “I’ve always been a teacher even though I didn’t necessarily think I was or I didn’t want to. But now I’m taking more on that road of teaching others, but I’m still looking to learn.”
Back in 2022, Velasquez targeted a man he says molested one of his relatives. The chase and shooting was caught on video. He was sentenced to five years in prison on charges that included attempted murder and assault. He eventually was released for good behavior and time served. He remains on parole, and a civil case is still pending.
“In the last four years of getting things taken away…I’ve always stayed really just true to myself and how I want to continue with life and that’s living from a place of love and giving back,” he said.
He admitted to mistakes in the past. Moving forward, he wants to be of service and give back in community.
“It all just starts with forgiving yourself,” he said. “Hopefully somebody can see my story and hopefully that can help them as well. They can learn from my mistakes as well.”
Velasquez trains and teaches at AKA, a mixed martial arts gym and mecca for fighters around the world. Before the hitting and sparring, there is the breathing. Velasquez calls it “ascension breath.” He’s been practicing it for years.
“The breathing helps you get rid of or work some traumas, things that you haven’t let go of but also the day-to-day, let go of things in the moment so you can just focus on what you’re doing here, and that’s the specific form of combat,” he said.
Velasquez shares these lessons not just in the ring but in prison when he was at Soledad.
“That’s why I started doing it in there,” he said. “I felt like these men here needed it the most and could benefit from this the most.”
Velasquez will hold his very first “Ascension Breath” event on Saturday at the San Jose Marriott. Space is limited. Tickets are available at rollnrumble.com.