ONE Championship has dismissed three key 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 firings come amid ongoing financial difficulties and multiple event cancellations for the promotion. The organization is experiencing significant operational challenges, including fighters departing, reduced activity among remaining roster members, and the cancellation of major fights and events. These developments raise questions about ONE Championship's future viability as a leading global MMA promotion.
ONE Championship has parted ways with three senior executives as the Singapore-based promotion continues to grapple with serious financial and operational difficulties, 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 departures represent a significant shakeup at the leadership level of one of the world's largest MMA promotions, coming against a backdrop of event cancellations, roster attrition, and reduced activity across its fighter pool.
Franklin, 51, is perhaps the most recognizable name among those let go. The American southpaw built a decorated fighting career before transitioning into promotion, compiling a professional record of 29-7-0 and becoming one of the UFC's most prominent middleweight champions of his era. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, the Team Extreme product averaged 4.1 significant strikes landed per minute during his fighting days and demonstrated well-rounded skills across both striking and grappling disciplines. He had served as Vice President at ONE Championship, becoming a prominent face of the organization's executive structure.
Why it matters
- The simultaneous loss of three senior leaders signals deep instability within ONE Championship's management structure.
- Event cancellations and fighter departures suggest operational challenges that extend beyond personnel decisions.
- Franklin's dismissal removes a high-profile former world champion from the promotion's front office, diminishing its visibility in the North American market.
- Questions about the organization's financial footing raise concerns over its ability to compete as a global MMA destination for top talent.
The cumulative effect of cancelled events, fighter exits, and now a gutted executive team paints a troubling picture for ONE Championship as it attempts to maintain its standing among the sport's premier promotions.
