ONE Championship has terminated 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 Sehler. The dismissals come amid ongoing financial difficulties and event cancellations for the Asian promotion. The report suggests ONE Championship's viability as a leading global MMA organization may be in jeopardy. The promotion has been experiencing fighter departures, reduced activity for remaining roster members, cancellations of major fights and events, and now significant staff reductions at the executive level.
ONE Championship has parted ways with three senior executives, signaling deepening instability at the Singapore-based promotion as it continues to grapple with significant financial strain.
The organization terminated Vice President Rich Franklin, Senior Vice President of Competition Matt Hume, and Chief Operating Officer John Sehler. The departures represent a substantial reshaping of ONE Championship's leadership structure at a time when the promotion is already under considerable pressure.
Franklin, 51, brings one of the most recognized names in MMA to any front-office role. The American, nicknamed "Ace," compiled a professional record of 29-7-0 during his fighting career, competing primarily as a middleweight and light heavyweight. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, the southpaw was a high-volume striker who landed 4.1 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy, while also demonstrating a well-rounded game 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 global outreach efforts.
Why it matters
- The loss of three senior executives simultaneously removes significant institutional knowledge and industry credibility from ONE Championship's leadership.
- Franklin's departure strips the promotion of one of its most publicly recognizable ambassadors and a direct connection to its core MMA audience.
- Combined with reported fighter departures, event cancellations, and reduced activity for roster members, the executive cuts raise serious questions about the promotion's operational stability and long-term viability as a top-tier global MMA organization.
- The situation may create opportunities for rival promotions to pursue both talent and staff currently affiliated with ONE Championship.
