Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been released on parole after serving 11 months in connection with a February 2022 shooting incident. Video footage from his homecoming shows an emotional reunion with his children, accompanied by a mariachi band, as friends and family celebrated his return.

Velasquez had pleaded no contest to charges tied to firing at a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte, who is accused of molesting a member of Velasquez’s family. While Goularte still faces felony charges for lewd acts with a minor, Velasquez has also filed a separate civil case against him. The former champion received credit for prior time served in county jail and under house arrest, reducing his prison sentence.

Although Velasquez was initially sentenced to five years, his parole release was aided by the time he had already spent in custody. Throughout the legal proceedings, he received support from UFC officials, with CEO Dana White praising him as a “model example of how a professional athlete should carry himself.”

The release allows Velasquez to begin a new chapter with his family. The former champion, who had largely stepped back from professional competition before the incident, now faces life beyond prison while continuing to manage his legal matters related to the case.