MMA stories of the year for 2022, No. 1: Cain Velasquez's arrest, incarceration
Our top story of 2022 was the arrest and incarceration of former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, which our SBC panel discussed.
It’s time to put on a bow on the year that was and get ready to turn the page.
Before that can happen, though, we must examine the top storylines of the past year. That was the focal point in the final 2022 episode of MMA Junkie’s “Spinning Back Clique,” on which we count down the top five storylines.
In late February, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was arrested after he allegedly chased down a truck in his SUV and shot into it. He allegedly was aiming at Harry Goularte, who had been arrested and released on bail prior to that for alleged sexual abuse of Velasquez’s 4-year-old son.
Goularte’s stepfather was hit with a bullet allegedly fired by Velasquez, and the former fighter eventually was charged with attempted murder and nine other counts. Velasquez, after a number of court appearances, finally was granted bail in November, and in early December he was allowed to travel to Arizona to take part in a lucha libre wrestling event.
Velasquez is on house arrest in California and is awaiting his trial. Goularte is awaiting a trial on the charges against him, as well, and there also is a civil lawsuit filed by the Velasquez family against the day care center ran by Goularte’s mother and stepfather.
It’s been messy at times, and there seems to be any number of ways to court proceedings eventually could go. Our panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Nolan King discussed the top storyline of 2022. Check it out in the video above. Then don’t miss the full episode below.
“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel.