Former UFC fighter Godofredo Pepey stays in custody after he was arrested in Florida on a mess of costs together with kidnapping and home violence.
The 37-year-old Brazilian is at present beneath an immigration maintain, which suggests he might doubtlessly face deportation out of america.
On-line courtroom data obtained by MMA Combating present Pepey was arrested on 4 separate costs, together with kidnapping with the intent to inflict bodily hurt or terrorize sufferer. Beneath Florida statutes, that felony carries with it the opportunity of life in jail if convicted.
Pepey was additionally charged with home battery by strangulation, tampering with/hindering/delaying with communications and contact or strike battery/home violence.
Whereas bail was set at $120,000, Pepey is being detained by immigration officers so he received’t go away custody for now. Combate initially reported Pepey’s arrest.
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Following information of his arrest, Pepey’s spouse posted an announcement on Instagram addressing the allegations in opposition to the 22-fight veteran.
“My identify is Samara Mello, I’m the spouse of Godofredo Pepey, and I’m additionally a home violence survivor,” Mello wrote on Instagram. “I wish to say what many won’t ever: home violence is actual within the sports activities world, and it’s nonetheless a taboo that few have the braveness to say within the fight sports activities group. We are able to’t faux it doesn’t exist. Home violence is available in many alternative types: bodily, emotional, psychological, sexual and monetary, and none of them is suitable.
“As we speak, I’m getting myself again up and I’m extremely grateful for having survived to have the ability to now make the distinction in different ladies’s lives. When the violence occurs inside your private home it doesn’t solely destroy one household, it impacts your complete group. We have to cease treating that as a secret. It’s in silence that violence grows. I hope the authorities in Brazil and the world perceive that the blood in my face and my physique drips on the fingers of those that nonetheless sees femicide as a statistic and don’t do sufficient to vary that. The subsequent generations rely on our selections now. This isn’t an issue to be handled, it must be abolished. I’m grateful to the combat group and for the help or organizations led by Rose Gracie, who takes it critically and helps those that assume there’s no approach out.”
Pepey final fought within the UFC in 2018 when the promotion opted to not renew his contract following back-to-back losses. He amassed a 5-6 file total with the promotion. Since then, Pepey has solely fought thrice along with his most up-to-date look coming in a loss for Ares FC in 2022.
Guilherme Cruz contributed to this report
