(Editor’s note: The story was updated at 2:21 p.m. ET to reflect new information.)
Former UFC heavyweight champion Kane Velázquez was jailed on Monday after being involved in a shooting that injured one person.
NBC Bay Area, citing “sources with direct knowledge of the investigation”, first announced the news of Velazquez’s involvement in the shooting in Morgan Hill, California. The San Jose Police Department is investigating the shooting and did not provide details about Velazquez.
Although it is not clear how Velazquez was involved, online records show late Monday night that he was detained in the Santa Clara County Jail by the Department of Corrections without bail. No charges have been filed and the reason for his detention is unknown.
San Jose Police Media Relations Office tweets that the victim of the shooting was shot “at least once” near the intersection of Monterey Highway and Bailey Avenue. He was “transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.” One suspect has been detained, but his motive is unknown. The signal for the shooting was given at 15:14 local time, police said.
Velazquez, 39, is training at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, about 25 miles north of the shooting site. He was born in Salinas, about 40 miles south of Morgan Hill.
Velázquez has not competed in MMA since a 26-second knockout loss to current heavyweight champion Francis Nganu in February 2019. Since then, he has been wrestling professionally with the WWE, as well as in Mexico.
Although Velazquez is believed to be retired, AKA head coach Javier Mendes recently told MMA Junkie that “he has it if he wants it” regarding a potential return to MMA.
Velazquez was a two-time UFC heavyweight champion. Various injuries plagued him throughout his career.