Former UFC fighter Godofredo "Pepey" Castro was arrested in Deerfield Beach, Florida, on multiple felony counts, including kidnapping with intent to inflict bodily harm, domestic battery by strangulation, witness tampering and misdemeanor domestic violence. Local police accuse the 38-year-old Brazilian of assaulting his wife, Samara Mello, preventing her from leaving their home and obstructing her attempts to contact authorities. Officers say Mello sustained visible injuries to her face and body. A Broward County judge set bail at US$120,000, but Castro remains in custody under an immigration hold that bars his release even if the bond is posted. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement must now decide whether he will be deported to Brazil while the criminal case proceeds. Under Florida law, the kidnapping charge alone carries a potential life sentence if he is convicted. Castro rose to prominence as runner-up on the inaugural season of “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil” in 2012 and compiled a 5-6 record in 11 UFC bouts before leaving the promotion in 2018. Mello, who called herself a “domestic-violence survivor” in a public statement, urged combat-sports officials to address abuse within the sport.