Ex-UFC fighter Tim Hague dies from knockout blow in boxing ring

June 18 (UPI) -- Former mixed martial arts fighter Tim Hague died from injuries sustained during a professional boxing match in his native Canada.

Hague, 34, fought former Canadian Football League player Adam Braidwood in Edmonton, Alberta on June 16. During the match, Hague was hit in the head numerous times and at times could hardly stand on his own two feet before suffering a knockout blow in the second round.

After the hit to the head, Hague was laid on the mat. But according to CBC, he was able to leave the ring on his own two feet. He was then taken to a hospital in critical condition and passed away on Sunday.

"It is with incredible sadness, sorrow and heartbreak to report that Tim has passed away today," wrote Jackie Neil, Hague's sister, in a family statement posted on Facebook. "He was surrounded by family, listening to his favorite songs."

Hague's friend and training partner, Victor Valinaki, questioned whether the referee should have stopped the fight after it appeared the former mixed martial artists, who was relatively inexperienced in professional boxing with a 1-3 record over six years.

His previous three fights were all within the last nine months.

"I think it went a bit longer than it probably should have," Valinaki told CTV News. "It could've been stopped quicker, but it's always hard to tell when you're in the heat of the moment, and with the ref and when Tim's saying he's good to go."

Braidwood had an 8-1 record going into the fight with Hague.

Hague was much better known as a competitive MMA fighter who competed at a high level in the UFC.

Hague began competing in professional MMA in 2006 and compiled a 21-13 record before getting cut from the UFC in 2011. In the meantime, he worked as a fourth grade schoolteacher in Edmonton and UFC Gym owner Alicia Landry said he was well-known in the area.

"Locally, he's iconic," she said.