Mailbag: Cain Velasquez’s legal battle and where does Sean Brady go from here?

Cain Velasquez goes to jail.

On Monday, the previous UFC heavyweight champion was sentenced to 5 years in jail after pleading No Contest in his tried homicide case. Velasquez will get credit score for time served, that means he’ll probably spend lower than two years again behind bars as his lengthy authorized battle is lastly over. So, let’s discuss Cain’s sentence, plus the fallout from this previous weekend’s UFC London card the place Sean Brady dominated Leon Edwards.

Cain Velasquez

“Hello Jed, my identify is Mike Heck. My questions is, as somebody who dabble within the regulation area, what was your response to the Cain Velasquez sentencing?”

For many who don’t know, as soon as upon a time I used to be a lawyer earlier than leaving that area to come back to the fantastic world of MMA. Although I’m not barred (as I don’t follow, maintaining my bar card could be a bit foolish) I nonetheless have my juris physician and so it’s with that authorized information I can say this with some confidence: you’ll be able to’t begin a automobile chase and shoot recklessly into one other automobile and anticipate to remain out of jail.

For these unaware, in 2022 Velasquez went on an 11-mile high-speed chase pursuing a automobile containing Harry Goularte, a person accused of molesting the fighter’s son at a daycare owned by Goularte’s mom. Velasquez then fired a number of rounds from a .40-caliber handgun on the automobile containing Goularte however as a substitute shot his stepfather Paul Bender within the arm. He was arrested shortly after with out incident.

Since Velasquez was first arrested, there was a surge of assist for the previous heavyweight champion, with no scarcity of individuals declaring he did nothing flawed. These individuals are incorrect. What occurred to Velasquez’s son is a horrible tragedy, however Velasquez shouldn’t be decide, jury, and executioner. You possibly can’t simply kill folks, or attempt to, particularly once they aren’t convicted of something but. If we permit that, then society has damaged down fully.

Some individuals are not going to agree with that, however what even probably the most ardent Velasquez supporters ought to be capable to admit—even should you assume Velasquez is justified in attacking Goularte—is that Velasquez endangered excess of simply Goularte together with his actions. That’s evidenced by the truth that he shot another person. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle that nobody received grievously injured between an 11-mile automobile chase and reckless gunfire.

When this all first kicked off, I assumed Velasquez was taking a look at a 10-year bid, with possibly half that for good conduct. So to stroll away from this factor with solely 5 years, I believe Velasquez must be proud of this end result. Prosecutors within the case have been in search of a 30-year sentence. He received a small chunk of that. And had Velasquez been extra unfortunate that evening, somebody may need died and as a substitute of coming residence subsequent yr, Velasquez would have spent the remainder of his life behind bars. Now, Velasquez has about one yr left in jail, which is definitely not a pleasure, however it’s strong all issues thought-about. And, frankly, seems like the fitting compromise on this scenario.

Sean Brady

Sean Brady takes the belt from Belal Muhammad, amiright?

Umm, no?

Let’s begin right here: Sean Brady’s efficiency on Saturday was spectacular. I used to be of the opinion that Edwards was going to come back in wanting re-energized and make issues very laborious on Brady — and I couldn’t have been extra flawed. Brady seized the initiative proper from the opening bell and by no means let up. Furthermore, he didn’t simply beat Edwards, he broke him.

By the third spherical, “Rocky” didn’t need to be there anymore. That’s why Edwards even shot a takedown try regardless of getting out-classed on the bottom, as a result of he was mentally defeated. He was merely going by way of the motions till Brady discovered a strategy to end him. It’s harsh, however it’s what I noticed on Saturday, and that’s full credit score to Brady for making that occur.

However do I believe Brady beats Belal Muhammad? No, as a result of I noticed them battle earlier than and it was not aggressive. This isn’t to say that Brady hasn’t gotten higher, or that he has no probability, however that battle wasn’t that way back and “Keep in mind the Title” dog-walked Brady. And it’s not like Belal has seemed unhealthy since then. He’s the man who wrote the blueprint for beating Edwards that Brady adopted.

If Brady can constantly get takedowns, he’s a menace to anyone within the welterweight division, however his placing continues to be missing and there are some dudes at 170 which are actually laborious to take down. I believe Belal is a foul type matchup for Brady, so until one thing dramatic modifications, in the event that they ever do rematch I’m backing Muhammad to get it carried out once more.

Properly, what ought to we do with Sean Brady then?

Ideas on Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Sean Brady as a possible battle, or maybe Leon Edwards going up a weight class to battle Israel Adesanya?

I don’t imply to be impolite, however each of these are horrible concepts.

Let’s concentrate on the Brady vs. Shavkat battle for probably the most half, as a result of a number of folks threw this out as one thing that ought to occur. My counterpoint: Why?

Rakhmonov had a title battle. It was booked, he was prepared for it, after which the champion received injured and withdrew. As an alternative of ready a number of months for Belal to get higher, Rakhmonov did the UFC a strong and stayed on UFC 310, accepting a short-notice change of opponent and gained. Why would anybody assume he ought to battle once more earlier than getting his well-deserved title shot?

And the identical holds true for Brady. Why ought to he battle once more? He simply beat the previous champion and No. 1-ranked man within the weight class. Sean Brady has carried out sufficient. We don’t have to skinny the herd of contenders. Rakhmonov faces the winner of Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena later this yr, and Brady serves because the backup fighter. That is very simple.

(That being mentioned, in the event that they did battle, I’m choosing Shavkat as a result of once more, Brady is a world-beater on high, but when he can’t get there, a lot much less harmful).

As for Leon Edwards going as much as middleweight, I imply, certain. He’s not sufficiently big to have sustained success within the weight class, however he can most likely beat some folks if he needs to try this. However reserving him towards Israel Adesanya is the worst thought I’ve ever heard. Twelve whole strikes could be thrown in that battle over 25 minutes and everybody would go deaf from the decibel degree of the boos. No thanks.

Leon Edwards

If Leon’s keep on the high of the UFC is coming to an finish, how does his legacy examine to Michael Bisping’s? Which ones is the higher British UFC fighter?

Additionally I’d be curious in your ideas on Leon vs Jorge Masvidal – is now the very best time to lastly make this occur?

To me, the query of Edwards vs. Bisping is a very simple reply however one I don’t know if folks will agree with: Leon Edwards is bigger than Michael Bisping, however not as essential.

Bisping is the godfather of British MMA. Even when he had by no means gained a UFC title, “The Depend” would nonetheless have been a massively important fighter within the historical past of the game. However then he messed round and did win a belt in some of the Disney film turns in MMA historical past. When folks consider British MMA, Michael Bisping will at all times be the primary identify that involves thoughts.

That being mentioned, I believe fairly clearly Edwards achieved greater than Bisping. A overwhelming majority of Bisping’s profession was dropping towards the very best opposition he confronted. It took him perpetually to get to a title shot — regardless of the UFC desperately desirous to get him a title shot — as a result of he couldn’t win the large fights. Leon, in the meantime, has universally been thought-about nice however held again by being boring. He gained all the large fights he was in, even when typically it was ugly.

Extra to the purpose, Leon beat an all-time nice to take the welterweight title after which added two defenses. Bisping’s title win was official, however then he defended towards the husk of Dan Henderson (and almost misplaced) earlier than dropping to profession welterweight Georges St-Pierre, who hand-picked him for the battle. Fairly clearly Leon is the higher, extra achieved fighter of the 2, in my thoughts.

As for the Jorge Masvidal of all of it, sure. It’s time we pulled the set off on Leon Edwards vs. Jorge Masvidal. Edwards seemed listless and horrible towards Brady, and whereas most of that’s most likely due to Brady, part of me thinks Edwards may not be locked in anymore. Masvidal is an opponent who will surely convey that out in him, and now that Leon is nicely exterior of the title image, we are able to have some enjoyable.

Carlos Ulberg

Does Carlos Ulberg’s efficiency towards Jan Blachowicz recommend that he’ll by no means be a champion? I simply assume at this stage of their profession’s he wanted a definitive determination or win. Then once more LHW is washed so who is aware of.

Within the co-main occasion on Saturday, Carlos Ulberg picked up a slender determination win over former gentle heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. It was … unhealthy. However right here’s the factor: it’s not completely Ulberg’s fault.

The reality of the matter is, Jan Blachowicz is a sonuvabitch to battle. Aside from Glover Teixeira — who took him down and tapped him — who has seemed good towards Jan over the previous 5 years? Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira, the 2 high gentle heavyweights on this planet, each went to splits with him, as a result of it’s nigh unattainable to beat Blachowicz fairly. He’s so sound defensively and well-rounded that regardless of who’s preventing him, they’re not gonna look good.

That being mentioned, Ulberg seemed significantly unhealthy. As a lot as I praised Blachowicz, he’s nonetheless 42 years previous and was coming off a protracted layoff and shoulder damage, and I scored the battle for Jan. Ulberg was completely unwilling to open up his offense towards Blachowicz and that kind of timidity doesn’t bode nicely for his title aspirations. I’m not saying by no means however the historical past of MMA means that fighters who aren’t keen to take dangers not often win a title. They may maintain on to a title they already gained, however it’s uncommon to see them take the belt from somebody.

Additionally, yeah, gentle heavyweight is devastatingly unhealthy. You possibly can’t depend anybody out from successful the belt in that weight class, as a result of something can occur.

Thanks for studying and because of everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you could have any burning questions on issues at the very least considerably associated to fight sports activities? Then you definitely’re in luck as a result of you’ll be able to ship your tweets to me, @JedKMeshew, and I’ll reply my favourite ones! It doesn’t matter in the event that they’re topical or insane, simply as long as they’re good. Thanks once more, and see y’all subsequent week.