After it was reported that UFC fighter Corey Hill had passed away at age 36 due to complications from pneumonia on Thursday, May 14, his wife Lauran Hill disputed the claims and said that her husband was still very much alive.
Several news sites, including TMZ, Yahoo, and more, reported on Thursday that Corey was dead after UFC blasted a release about the athlete's sudden alleged passing.
In the now-deleted statement (which still exists on UFC's mobile site), the organization wrote: "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. 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."
Speaking to TMZ late Thursday, Lauran told the site that Corey was "resting and still alive." She added that her family was praying that he fully recovers from his sickness. "My husband is a strong fighter," she said. "Please everyone pray for him."
A nurse at Corey's hospital in Tampa, Fla., spoke to MMAFighting.com on Thursday about his state, telling the site under the condition of anonymity that reports of his death were "false."
Corey rose to fame after being featured in season five of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter. He suffered a terrible injury in December 2008 during a fight against Dale Hartt. Still, he never gave up.
"IT'S NOT OVER!!" Corey's Twitter bio reads. "After suffering the worst injury in UFC HISTORY, I'M STILL HERE!! HEART OF A WARRIOR!! COME ON BABY!! I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE!! WHAT?"
