Former UFC featherweight fighter Godofredo "Pepey" Castro has been found dead in a Florida jail cell while awaiting trial on serious domestic violence charges including kidnapping and strangling his wife. The 38-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist was discovered unresponsive during routine checks at the Broward County facility in Fort Lauderdale.
Tragic Discovery in Prison Cell
According to reports from TMZ, detention deputies with the Broward Sheriff's Office found Castro unresponsive while conducting regular checks at the Fort Lauderdale correctional facility. Emergency medical crews immediately responded to the scene and attempted to revive the former UFC competitor before transporting him to a nearby hospital.
Despite extensive resuscitation efforts, Castro was pronounced dead at the hospital. While an official cause of death remains pending investigation, law enforcement sources indicated they do not suspect foul play in the case.
Teammate Reveals Apparent Suicide
Fellow Brazilian fighter Rony "Jason" Bezerra, who competed alongside Castro on "The Ultimate Fighter Brazil," shared devastating news about his former teammate's apparent suicide. Bezerra took to Instagram to confirm the tragic circumstances, writing that Castro "couldn't handle the pressure and ended up taking his own life."
In a poignant social media tribute, Bezerra reflected on the psychological struggles faced by professional fighters. "Fighters can be very strong physically, but if their mind is unstable, they can end up committing an act like this," he stated, while offering condolences to Castro's family and friends.
Violent Domestic Incident Led to Incarceration
Castro had been incarcerated since June 30, 2025, following his arrest in Deerfield, Florida, on multiple domestic violence charges. The former UFC athlete faced serious allegations including kidnapping, strangulation, witness tampering, and battery against his wife.
Police reports obtained by the New York Post detailed a violent altercation that began as an argument over "jealousy issues" between Castro and his wife. The alleged victim told authorities that Castro dragged her by her hair into their home and choked her until she lost consciousness multiple times.
Additional allegations included Castro throwing his wife to the ground and "repeatedly smashing her head into the ground face down." Responding officers documented visible injuries to the woman's face and noticeable redness around her neck area following the incident.
Castro had pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his criminal case was ongoing at the time of his death. His final social media post, shared just one day before his arrest, featured a black-and-white training photo with the caption: "When you turn pain into purpose, no one can hold you back! A lion will always be a lion!"
UFC Career and Legacy
The Brazilian-born fighter compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 13-7 throughout his career. Castro competed 11 times in the UFC octagon after gaining recognition on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil reality series.
During his UFC tenure from 2012 to 2017, Castro achieved a 5-6 record against some of the promotion's toughest featherweight competitors. His final professional bout occurred in February 2022, nearly three years before his tragic death.
Fellow fighters and the MMA community have begun sharing tributes to Castro, remembering both his athletic accomplishments and the personal struggles that ultimately led to his premature death at age 38.
