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 Seheler. The firings come amid ongoing financial problems and event cancellations for the promotion. The post suggests ONE Championship is struggling to continue as a leading MMA organization, with fighters leaving, remaining fighters inactive, key personnel being let go, and major fights and events being canceled.
ONE Championship has parted ways with three senior executives as the promotion continues to navigate a deepening financial crisis, according to reports published April 16, 2026.
The departures include vice president Rich Franklin, senior vice president of competition Matt Hume, and chief operating officer John Seheler. The cuts arrive against a backdrop of event cancellations, an exodus of fighters from the roster, and prolonged inactivity among those who remain under contract.
Franklin, 51, brings significant name recognition to any organization he represents. The American southpaw compiled a professional MMA record of 29-7-0 during his fighting career, competing primarily in the middleweight division. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, he was a high-output 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. After retiring from competition, Franklin transitioned into an executive role with ONE Championship, where he served as a prominent face of the organization's business operations.
Why it matters
- The simultaneous removal of three senior figures — covering operations, competition, and veteran relations — signals significant organizational instability at ONE Championship.
- Fighter departures combined with event cancellations suggest the promotion may be struggling to fulfill contractual obligations and maintain competitive programming.
- The loss of experienced personnel like Hume, who oversaw competitive matchmaking, could further complicate ONE Championship's ability to stage high-quality events in the near term.
The scope of the cuts, touching leadership across multiple departments at once, points to a promotion under serious structural pressure rather than routine personnel changes.
