Godofredo Pepey, the 38-year-old former UFC fighter from Fortaleza, Brazil, was arrested on July 2, 2025, in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He faces multiple serious charges including kidnapping, domestic battery by strangulation, witness tampering, and battery. An immigration hold has been placed on Pepey, raising the likelihood of deportation to Brazil while his legal case proceeds.
Pepey’s wife, Samara Mello, posted a powerful Instagram statement condemning domestic violence within the fight world and thanking supporters for their solidarity. The statement has also been backed by Rose Gracie’s organization, which actively combats domestic abuse in MMA communities.
Kidnapping with intent to inflict bodily harm or terrorize carries a potential life sentence in Florida, underscoring the severity of the charges against Pepey. His bail was set at $120,000, but the immigration hold currently prevents his release.
Pepey began his MMA career in 2003 and rose to prominence after competing on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil in 2012, where he lost the featherweight final to Rony Jason. Between 2012 and 2018, Pepey fought 11 times in the UFC, earning notable wins including a 2014 victory over Andre Fili and three performance bonuses. After consecutive losses to Shane Burgos and Mirsad Bektic, he was released from the UFC in 2018. His last recorded fight was a loss at Ares FC in 2022.
As Pepey remains in custody, the possibility of deportation looms alongside the risk of a life sentence if convicted on kidnapping charges. This case has reignited important conversations about domestic violence in the MMA community.
