The wife of professional mixed martial artist Corey Hill has rebutted the announcement of his death.
UFC officials released a statement Thursday that Hill, 36, had died due to complications from pneumonia.
However, his wife, Lauran Hill, told TMZ Sports that he is "resting and still alive."
"My husband is fighting for his life. We want him in everyone's prayers," she told the website, which also had earlier reported Hill's death.
The UFC later removed the statement from its website.
Corey Hill appeared three times in the UFC in 2008. Hill (6-9) was a contestant on the fifth season of the "Ultimate Fighter" reality show. He was still an active fighter, having last competed Feb. 6 in South Florida.
"The UFC family mourns the tragic loss of Corey Hill, who passed away on May 14 due to complications from pneumonia at the age of 36," the statement read. "Fans will remember Corey for his time as a lightweight competitor who fought multiple times for the organization in 2008 and was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter season 5. UFC sends its condolences to the family and friends of Corey Hill."
In his final UFC appearance at a Fight for the Troops event on Dec. 10, 2008, Hill suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in his right leg when he threw a checked leg kick against Dale Hartt. He successfully fought again after the injury 13 months later, defeating Jason Trzewieczynski via unanimous decision in January 2010.
