Professional mixed martial artist Corey Hill died Friday due to complications from pneumonia, his wife told TMZ Sports. He was 36.
UFC officials confirmed Hill's death in a statement, saying, "The UFC family mourns the tragic loss of Corey Hill, who passed away on May 15 due to complications from pneumonia at the age of 36. 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."
The organization had released a statement Thursday that Hill had died, but removed it from the UFC website after his wife, Lauran Hill, rebutted the announcement of his death, telling TMZ Sports that her husband was "resting and still alive."
Following his death on Friday, Lauran Hill told TMZ Sports, "Corey was a loving husband and devoted father. He was such a strong role model for our children, and would do anything to keep them safe and happy and healthy.
"[He was] a fighter til the end."
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.
In his final UFC appearance at a Fight for the Troops event 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.
