ONE Championship has terminated three senior executives: Vice President and former UFC fighter Rich Franklin, Senior Vice President of Competition Matt Hume, and Chief Operating Officer John Sheeler. The dismissals come amid ongoing financial problems and event cancellations for the promotion. The report suggests ONE Championship's position as one of the world's leading MMA organizations is in jeopardy, with fighters departing, those remaining fighting infrequently, key personnel being let go, and major fights and events being canceled. The news has raised concerns about the promotion's ability to continue operating at its current level. The post ended with a suggestion for Anatoly Malykhin to leave the organization.
ONE Championship has parted ways with three senior executives, according to a report published on April 16, 2026, as the Singapore-based promotion continues to face serious financial difficulties.
Rich Franklin, who served as Vice President of ONE Championship, is among those let go. Franklin, nicknamed "Ace," is a 51-year-old American fighter-turned-executive best known for his decorated career inside the octagon. The former middleweight champion compiled a professional record of 29-7-0 during his fighting days, demonstrating consistent striking output of 4.1 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy, along with 1.31 takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, he was a formidable presence as a competitor before transitioning into a front-office role.
Alongside Franklin, Senior Vice President of Competition Matt Hume and Chief Operating Officer John Sheeler were also dismissed. The three departures represent a significant shakeup at the top of the organization.
Why it matters
- The exits of high-profile executives compound concerns about ONE Championship's long-term operational stability
- Fighters have been departing the roster, remaining athletes are competing infrequently, and major events have been canceled, painting a troubling picture for the promotion
- The report raises questions about ONE Championship's ability to maintain its standing among the world's premier MMA organizations
- Anatoly Malykhin, one of the promotion's most prominent champions, was specifically mentioned in the reporting, with a suggestion that he consider leaving the organization
