Emergency services rushed to the scene, but Pepey was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Broward Sheriff\u2019s Office said the fighter was found with a sheet tied around his neck, according to MMA Junkie.<\/a><\/p>\n Pepey had been in custody since June 2025 following his arrest on several charges, including kidnapping and domestic violence.<\/p>\n “I’ll Surprise Him”: JDM to upset Islam? | 05:45<\/p>\n Legal proceedings were still ongoing at the time of his death, and Pepey had pleaded not guilty to all charges.<\/p>\n According to the Daily Star, the lawyer of Samara Mello, Pepey\u2019s wife, released a statement that read: \u201cThe death of someone in custody is a serious matter.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are procedures that must be followed by the American authorities, and any and all news will be released by those authorities. <\/p>\n \u201cUntil then, I ask for respect for the family, his wife Samara, and that you avoid malicious comments and speculation, so as not to cause further suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n The tragedy has sparked reflection within the MMA community, with fellow Brazilian fighter Rony Bezerra taking to social media to post about his late friend.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here to bring some terrible news. Unfortunately, we lost our partner, Godfredo Pepey,\u2019 he posted, before going on to speculate about the cause of death.<\/p>\n He later added: \u201cVery sad to lose this great partner, an unparalleled guy. A partner, a friend, a brother. Wherever you are, may God bless you. I love you brother\u201d.<\/p>\n After rising to fame on TUF Brazil in 2012, Pepey went on to fight 11 times in the UFC, picking up five wins and three performance bonuses.<\/p>\n Pepey was released by the UFC in 2018 following a defeat to Mirsad Bektic.<\/p>\n ‘For Volk’: JDM eyes finish in MSG | 01:53<\/p>\n He would go on to fight three more times on the regional scene before his final fight in February 2022.<\/p>\n If you or someone you know needs help contact Beyond Blue<\/a> or Lifeline. <\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761200708_112_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n