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A former UFC fighter has died in an alleged suicide while in custody at a Florida jail. Authorities confirmed the death over the weekend, saying the inmate was found unresponsive in his cell before being transported to Broward Health Medical Center. He was later pronounced dead.Police said there were no signs of foul play and that investigations are ongoing. The fighter in question is Godofredo Pepey, a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed eleven times in the UFC between 2012 and 2018.Pepey, 38, had been held without bond since June after his arrest on multiple domestic violence-related charges, including kidnapping and battery. Court proceedings were still pending at the time of his death.Senior MMA reporter Nolan King took to X and wrote:"Eleven-time UFC veteran Godofredo Pepey has died, as @leoguimaraesmma first reported. He was 38. A PD spokesperson tells me Pepey was found unresponsive in a jail cell with a bed sheet around his neck in an apparent suicide."Check out the X post below:Pepey’s UFC run included five wins and three performance bonuses, including victories over Andre Fili, Noad Lahat, and Milton Vieira. Known for his aggressive grappling and unpredictable style, he earned a reputation as one of Brazil’s most exciting featherweights during his tenure.Pepey’s UFC journey began with The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil in 2012. Representing Team Vitor Belfort, he submitted Johnny Goncalves to earn his place in the house.He went on to defeat Wagner Campos by decision and Marcos Vinicius by submission to reach the tournament final. His run ended in a decision loss to Rony Jason at UFC 147.After leaving the UFC, he continued competing in promotions such as Brave CF and ARES FC, where he last fought in 2022. In 2024, Pepey briefly entered politics, running for city council in Fortaleza, Brazil, for the Republicans. He was arrested in 2025 in Deerfield Beach, Florida, on kidnapping and domestic violence charges.
