Godofredo Pepey is in deep trouble. The former UFC fighter was arrested in Deerfield Beach, Florida, on July 2, 2025, facing charges of kidnapping, domestic battery by strangulation, witness tampering, and battery. The 38-year-old Brazilian also faces deportation due to an immigration hold. His wife, Samara Mello, posted a powerful Instagram statement, calling out domestic violence in the fight world and thanking supporters.
Pepey’s Arrest Details
Pepey faces serious charges. Kidnapping with intent to inflict bodily harm or terrorize carries a potential life sentence in Florida. He’s also charged with domestic battery by strangulation, tampering with communication, and battery. Bail is $120,000, but an immigration hold keeps him in custody. Combate reported the arrest, and court records confirm the details.
Mello spoke out boldly.
“My name is Samara Mello, I’m the wife of Godofredo Pepey, and I’m also a domestic violence survivor,” she wrote on Instagram. “Domestic violence is real in the sports world, and it’s still a taboo that few have the courage to mention in the combat sports community. We can’t pretend it doesn’t exist.”
She listed physical, emotional, mental, sexual, and financial abuse, demanding change.
She added, “I’m getting myself back up and I’m incredibly thankful for having survived to be able to now make the difference in other women’s lives. When the violence happens inside your home it doesn’t only destroy one family, it impacts the entire community.” Mello called for action, saying, “We need to stop treating that as a secret. It’s in silence that violence grows.” via MMAfighting
She thanked Rose Gracie’s Fighting Foundation for support.
Pepey, born in Fortaleza, Brazil, started in MMA in 2003. He competed on The Ultimate Fighter, Brazil in 2012, losing the featherweight final to Rony Jason. He fought 11 times in the UFC from 2012 to 2018, going 5-6 with wins over Andre Fili in 2014 and others, earning three performance bonuses. After losses to Shane Burgos and Mirsad Bektic, the UFC released him in 2018. His last fight was a loss at Ares FC in 2022.
Pepey remains detained. Deportation to Brazil looms before his legal case concludes. A kidnapping conviction could mean life in prison. Mello’s statement, backed by Rose Gracie’s organization, highlights domestic violence in MMA.
She wrote, “I hope the authorities in Brazil and the world understand that the blood in my face and my body drips on the hands of those who still sees femicide as a statistic.”
Her words push for change as Pepey faces an uncertain future.
