ONE Championship has terminated three key executives: Vice President and former UFC fighter Rich Franklin, Senior Vice President of Competition Matt Hume, and Chief Operating Officer John Scheler. The firings come amid ongoing financial problems and event cancellations for the promotion. The trend suggests ONE Championship's future as a leading MMA organization is uncertain, with fighters leaving, remaining fighters competing infrequently, key staff being let go, and major fights and events being canceled. The post expresses concern about the promotion's viability and suggests fighter Anatoly Malykhin should consider leaving.
ONE Championship has parted ways with three senior executives as the promotion continues to grapple with financial difficulties, according to reports published on April 16, 2026.
Vice President Rich Franklin, Senior Vice President of Competition Matt Hume, and Chief Operating Officer John Scheler have all been let go from the Singapore-based organization. The departures come against a backdrop of mounting instability that includes event cancellations, fighter departures, and reduced activity across the roster.
Franklin, 51, is perhaps the most recognizable name among those dismissed. The American southpaw built a celebrated fighting career before moving into an executive role, compiling a professional record of 29-7-0 and competing out of Team Extreme. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, he was a prolific striker during his time inside the cage, averaging 4.1 significant strikes landed per minute at 44 percent accuracy, while also contributing on the mat with 1.31 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Losing three senior figures simultaneously removes significant institutional knowledge from ONE Championship's leadership structure
- The departures compound existing concerns about the promotion's operational health, including infrequent bouts for contracted fighters and canceled events
- Heavyweight standout Anatoly Malykhin has been cited as a fighter whose future with the organization warrants scrutiny given the broader instability
- ONE Championship's position as a top global MMA promotion appears increasingly uncertain if the organizational turbulence continues
