Skip to main content

MMA stories of the year for 2022, No. 1: Cain Velasquez's arrest, incarceration

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.



from MMA Junkie https://ift.tt/bV2u5Nl
via IFTTT

Popular posts from this blog

Conor McGregor's manager: We're pushing hard for UFC 300, Michael Chandler likely opponent

LAS VEGAS – Although nothing is official yet, Conor McGregor ’s team is aiming for a return to the octagon at UFC 300. McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar , told MMA Junkie on Thursday at the World MMA Awards that they’re campaigning for the UFC star to make his highly anticipated return at UFC 300, with takes place April 13 in Las Vegas. “If it was up to him, he’d be fighting Saturday, so ultimately we’re just trying to make sure we’re doing everything right and following all the standard operating procedures to get him back in the octagon as soon as possible,” Attar said. “UFC 300 would be amazing, and obviously we’re pushing as hard as we can to make that happen. Ultimately, it’s going to be an exciting 2024 for his return.” McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) hasn’t competed since breaking his tibia in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. He’s been recovering ever since, and he recently entered the USADA testing pool – the UFC’s anti-doping program, which w

Brandon Moreno meets Amir Albazi in five-round co-main event in UFC's expected Mexico City return

Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi will get their wish for a high-stakes flyweight contender matchup in February, and it will unfold over the course of five rounds. Former multi-time 125-pound champion Moreno (21-7-2 MMA, 9-3-2 UFC) told MMA Junkie earlier this week a fight against Albazi (17-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) was the “logical” next move for his career, and now it has materialized as the co-main event for UFC Fight Night on Feb. 24, which is expected to take place in Mexico City. The event in Mexico has not been formally announced, but two people with knowledge of the situation told MMA Junkie that the matchup is signed following an initial report from ESPN Deportes . The people requested anonymity. Related Brandon Moreno breaks down 'interesting' UFC 296 title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval Brandon Moreno likes Deiveson Figueiredo's 'smart' bantamweight move, but wonders if his power will translate Moreno, No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY

Video: Conor McGregor has intense, yet totally random faceoff with fellow former UFC champ Petr Yan

It seems if you give him the opportunity, Conor McGregor will face off with anyone. That’s what happened at the IBA Night of Champions event at Agenda Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, when former featherweight and lightweight UFC champion Conor McGregor came face-to-face with the much smaller former bantamweight Petr Yan . Aside from looking to create a moment for the internet to enjoy, it’s unclear exactly why the pair of former UFC champions were brought into the ring to face off, but it happened. The president of the IBA Umar Kremlev oversaw the faceoff while holding up an IBA world championship belt. Check out video of the faceoff below: Conor McGregor and Petr Yan faceoff in Dubai pic.twitter.com/Kn8e3g1iZy — Full Combat (@fullcombatoff) December 9, 2023 McGregor kept his intense demeanor for a few seconds, but when a microphone was placed between the two, things turned jovial. A few playful words were exchanged and the two shook hands and shared a laugh. McGreg