The wife of ex-UFC fighter Corey Hill on Thursday denied a UFC statement that Hill had died earlier in the day.

Late Thursday afternoon Pacific time, the Las Vegas-based UFC announced on its website that Hill had died at 36 years old. Several of HIll's friends and family members had earlier said publicly that he'd died. A number of news sites, including Yahoo Sports, reported that Hill was dead shortly after the UFC release.

But Hill's wife, Lauren, speaking to TMZ, denied he'd died. She told the site her husband "was resting and still alive."

Hill fought on Season 5 of the reality series, 'The Ultimate Fighter,' and competed three times in the organization, going 1-2 in 2008.

Pat Miletich, a former UFC champion and member of its Hall of Fame, spoke to Yahoo Sports about Hill's reported death. Miletich coached Hill and the two had become close. Miletich told Yahoo Sports he thought that Hill, who was 6-9 in his mixed martial arts career, was talented enough to win the lightweight title. He said Hill had died as a result of complications from pneumonia.

The UFC declined comment on the deletion of its statement.