ONE Championship has dismissed three senior executives: vice president and former UFC fighter Rich Franklin, senior vice president of competition Matt Hume, and chief operating officer John Schieler. The layoffs come amid ongoing financial difficulties and event cancellations for the promotion. The organization is reportedly experiencing a troubling trend of fighter departures, reduced fight activity for remaining athletes, key staff exits, and canceled major bouts and events. These developments raise serious questions about ONE Championship's future viability as one of the world's leading MMA promotions.
ONE Championship has parted ways with three senior executives as the Singapore-based promotion continues to navigate serious financial headwinds, according to reports published April 16, 2026.
The organization has dismissed vice president Rich Franklin, senior vice president of competition Matt Hume, and chief operating officer John Schieler. The exits come against a backdrop of mounting instability at ONE Championship, including event cancellations, a wave of fighter departures, and reduced activity for athletes still on the roster.
Franklin, 51, brought considerable MMA credibility to his executive role. The American fighter, known as "Ace," compiled a professional record of 29-7-0 during his fighting career, competing primarily in the middleweight division. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, Franklin was a technically sound striker who averaged 4.1 significant strikes landed per minute at 44 percent accuracy, while also contributing on the ground with 1.31 takedowns per 15 minutes. His tenure as a vice president made him one of the more recognizable former fighters in MMA front-office leadership.
Hume, widely respected as a veteran coach and matchmaker, served as senior vice president of competition, overseeing ONE's athlete roster and competitive direction. Schieler, as chief operating officer, held one of the most senior operational roles within the company.
Why it matters
- The simultaneous removal of three high-profile executives signals deep structural instability at one of MMA's most prominent global promotions.
- Losing Hume, whose matchmaking experience was central to ONE's competitive identity, could directly affect roster management and event quality.
- Ongoing fighter departures and event cancellations compound the executive losses, raising broader questions about the promotion's ability to retain top talent and fulfill contractual commitments.
- ONE Championship's position as a leading alternative to the UFC in Asian markets may be significantly weakened if the current trend continues.
