FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (BN24)— Former UFC fighter Godofredo Pepey, a Brazilian mixed martial artist once known for his flamboyant fighting style, was found dead in a Florida jail while awaiting trial on charges of kidnapping and assaulting his wife, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Pepey, 38, had been held in Broward County since late June following his arrest in Deerfield Beach on suspicion of domestic violence against his wife, Samara Mello. Authorities have not yet released details surrounding the circumstances of his death.
Mello and her attorney, Gaudenio Santiago, were notified Monday of the fighter’s death. In a statement to Brazilian media, Santiago called for restraint and respect for the family as U.S. officials investigate the in-custody death.
“The death of someone in custody is a serious matter,” Santiago said. “There are procedures that the American authorities must follow. Until official information is released, I ask for respect for Samara and her family and that people avoid speculation or malicious comments.”
Pepey, whose full name was Godofredo Castro de Oliveira, was born in Fortaleza, in northeastern Brazil. He began martial arts training as a teenager alongside his brother, Godofredo Claudio, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.
He debuted professionally in mixed martial arts at the age of 15 in 2003, later returning to competition after a brief hiatus. Pepey joined the UFC in 2012, fighting for six years before the promotion declined to renew his contract. During his 21-fight career, he recorded 13 wins — four by knockout and eight by submission.
Following his arrest on June 30, Mello shared images of her injuries on social media, saying she wanted to expose the realities of domestic violence in sports.
“Domestic violence is real in the world of sports, and in combat sports it remains a taboo few dare to confront,” she wrote. “I am rebuilding my life and grateful to have survived so that I can make a difference for other women.”
At the time of his arrest, Pepey’s brother publicly acknowledged the allegations, calling his sibling’s actions “a mistake” and emphasizing accountability under both “man’s law and God’s law.”
Authorities in Florida and Brazil have not provided further details about the cause of Pepey’s death or whether foul play is suspected.
