An MMA icon has been seized by police accused of a savage attack on his wife as she posted horrific photographs of the appalling injuries she says he caused.
Top Brazilian fighter Godofredo Castro de Oliveira, better known to fans as Godofredo Pepey, 38, who was a finalist in the first edition of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter Brazil and ho lives in the United States, was arrested in Deerfield Beach, in the US state of Florida, on 30th June, a day after the brutal beating.
It is understood that horrified neighbours called the police when they saw Oliveira's wife, Samara Mello, 28, with her face covered in cuts and livid bruises.
Samara, who had been forbidden from using her phone or leaving the house, later posted a montage snap showing her face before and after the alleged attack.
Fighter Godofredo Castro de Oliveira, known as Godofredo Pepey, poses in undated photo. He was arrested in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA, on Jun.30, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@godofredo_pepey/Newsflash/NX)
In the photo, the right side of her face is flawless, but the left is a bloody mess of deep cuts, abrasions, bruises and a painful-looking split lip.
Bruises around her neck show where Oliveira is said to have tried to throttle her.
In her caption, Samara described herself as a "domestic violence survivor".
She said: "I want to say what many will never say - domestic violence is real in the world of sports.
Fighter Godofredo Castro de Oliveira, known as Godofredo Pepey, and his wife Samara Mello pose in undated photo. He was arrested in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA, on Jun.30, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@godofredo_pepey/Newsflash/NX)
"And in the combat sports community, it is still a taboo that few have the courage to talk about.
"Today, I am getting back on my feet and I am immensely grateful for having survived so that I can now make a difference in the lives of other women."
She added: "I hope that the authorities in Brazil and around the world understand that the blood on my face and body runs down the hands of those who still see femicide as a statistic and do not do enough to change that."
Local media reports say that the fighter faces charges of kidnapping with bodily injury, intimidation and domestic battery by strangulation.
He is also set to be charged with obstructing communication with police and domestic violence.
His brother, Godofredo Claudio, defended the fighter.
Fighter Godofredo Castro de Oliveira, known as Godofredo Pepey, and his wife Samara Mello pose in undated photo. He was arrested in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA, on Jun.30, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@godofredo_pepey/Newsflash/NX)
He claimed: "My brother made a mistake. Now he will be held accountable and will suffer the consequences of the law of men and God.
"I know that many here, as they are already doing out there, will use this mistake to measure and judge, but it is not up to me to do such a thing."
Bail was reportedly set at USD 120,000 (GBP 87,835) with the fighter also said to be facing deportation back to Brazil.
Samara Mello is receiving support from the Fighting Foundation, an organisation founded by Rose Gracie from the famous Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA family.
Picture shows Samara Mello's post about violence, undated. Fighter Godofredo Castro de Oliveira, known as Godofredo Pepey was arrested in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA, on Jun.30, 2025. Note: Image is a screenshot from post. (Newsflash/NX)
The organisation works to provide support to fighters and their families in areas such as education, mental health, treatment and research.
Welterweight Oliveira had his first pro fight in 2003 aged just 15 and four of his nine wins were by devastating knockouts.
(Joseph Golder / newsX)