ONE Championship has terminated three major executives from its leadership team: vice president and former UFC fighter Rich Franklin, senior vice president of competition Matt Hume, and chief operating officer John Schieler. The dismissals come as the organization faces ongoing financial difficulties and event cancellations. Industry observers note concerning trends including fighter departures, reduced activity among remaining fighters, cancellation of major fights and events, and now executive layoffs. The developments raise questions about ONE Championship's future viability as a leading global MMA promotion.
ONE Championship has parted ways with three senior figures in its leadership structure, with the dismissals of vice president Rich Franklin, senior vice president of competition Matt Hume, and chief operating officer John Schieler confirmed as of mid-April 2026.
Franklin, 51, is among the most recognizable names caught up in the shake-up. The American southpaw built a 29-7-0 professional record across a career that included a notable run in the UFC middleweight division before transitioning into an executive role with ONE Championship. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, Franklin was a durable, well-rounded competitor who averaged 4.1 significant strikes landed per minute with 44 percent striking accuracy during his fighting days. He also contributed on the mat, averaging 1.31 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career.
Why it matters
- The departures strip ONE Championship of experienced leadership at a time when the promotion is already under financial strain
- Event cancellations and reduced fighter activity had already signaled organizational instability before these dismissals
- Fighter departures combined with executive exits compound questions about the promotion's ability to retain talent and stage consistent programming
- The loss of a figure as prominent as Franklin, who carried significant credibility in fighter relations and public visibility, leaves a notable gap in the organization's front office
The executive cuts arrive against a backdrop of mounting pressure on ONE Championship, with industry observers pointing to a pattern of disruption including scrapped major fights and a thinning competitive calendar. The simultaneous removal of leadership across competition, operations, and vice presidential levels suggests structural changes that go beyond routine personnel turnover and raises substantive questions about the promotion's path forward as a globally competitive MMA organization.
