Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been released from prison after serving 10 months of his five-year sentence, according to reports from multiple sources.

Velasquez was granted early parole and made his first public statement since his release on Wednesday. The former mixed martial arts champion expressed relief at his freedom, though specific details of his statement were not fully disclosed.

The 41-year-old fighter had been serving time as part of a five-year sentence, though the exact charges and circumstances leading to his imprisonment were not detailed in the available reports. His early release came after serving less than one-fifth of his original sentence.

Velasquez is considered one of the most accomplished heavyweight fighters in UFC history, having held the championship title during his professional career. His release marks the end of a difficult period that saw the former champion transition from athletic prominence to incarceration.

The former champion's legal situation had drawn attention from the mixed martial arts community, though he had maintained a relatively low profile during his time in prison.