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 Sehler. The dismissals come as the organization faces ongoing financial difficulties and event cancellations. The report suggests ONE Championship's status as a leading global MMA promotion may be in jeopardy, with fighters departing, remaining athletes competing infrequently, key staff being let go, and major fights and events being canceled. The post includes a warning for fighter Anatoly Malykhin to consider leaving the promotion.
ONE Championship has let go of three high-profile executives as the organization navigates a deepening financial crisis, according to reports published on April 16, 2026.
The promotion confirmed the departures of vice president Rich Franklin, senior vice president of competition Matt Hume, and chief operating officer John Sehler. The wave of dismissals adds to a growing list of concerns surrounding ONE Championship's long-term stability.
Franklin, 51, is perhaps the most recognizable name among those released. The American southpaw compiled a professional MMA record of 29 wins and 7 losses during his fighting career, spending considerable time competing at middleweight and earning a reputation as one of the sport's more technically sound strikers. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, he averaged 4.1 significant strikes landed per minute over his career and transitioned into an executive role with ONE Championship after retiring from active competition.
Why it matters
- The loss of three senior figures in operations, competition management, and business development simultaneously signals significant internal instability at ONE Championship.
- Fighters departing the roster and events being canceled raises questions about the promotion's ability to maintain its position among the top global MMA organizations.
- Anatoly Malykhin, one of ONE Championship's marquee champions, has been specifically flagged in reports as an athlete who should weigh his options given the organization's current trajectory.
The broader picture painted by these developments is troubling for ONE Championship's competitive ecosystem. Fighters are reportedly competing infrequently, major matchups are being shelved, and the departure of experienced executives like Hume, who oversaw competition operations, leaves critical organizational roles vacant. Whether the promotion can stabilize its finances and retain its remaining talent remains the central question hanging over the organization.
