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 Sheler. The dismissals come amid ongoing financial difficulties and event cancellations for the Asian promotion. The report suggests ONE Championship may struggle to continue functioning as a leading global MMA organization. Fighters have been departing the promotion, and those remaining are competing infrequently. The combination of executive departures, fighter exits, and canceled major fights and events signals significant organizational instability.
ONE Championship has parted ways with three senior executives as the Asian MMA promotion contends with mounting financial pressure, according to a report published April 16.
The organization terminated vice president Rich Franklin, senior vice president of competition Matt Hume, and chief operating officer John Sheler. The simultaneous removal of three high-ranking officials points to significant internal disruption at a promotion that has long positioned itself as a global rival to the UFC.
Franklin, 51, brought considerable credibility to his executive role after a decorated career inside the cage. The American southpaw retired with a professional record of 29 wins and 7 losses, standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. During his fighting days he averaged 4.1 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy, and added 1.31 takedowns per 15 minutes, numbers that reflected a well-rounded, pressure-based game. His departure, alongside that of Hume — a widely respected figure in fighter development and matchmaking — strips the organization of two of its most recognizable combat-sports voices.
Why it matters
- The loss of three executives simultaneously raises serious questions about ONE Championship's operational stability and leadership continuity.
- Matt Hume's role overseeing competition means his exit could directly disrupt matchmaking, fighter contracts, and event planning.
- Fighters have already been leaving the promotion, and those who remain are competing infrequently, compounding the pressure on an already strained roster.
- Canceled events and high-profile fight collapses further erode the promotion's standing as a top-tier global MMA organization.
The broader picture described in the report is one of compounding instability: executive exits layered on top of fighter departures, event cancellations, and financial strain. Whether ONE Championship can stabilize its leadership structure and restore a consistent competitive calendar remains the central question hanging over the promotion.
