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 Shelley. The firings come amid ongoing financial difficulties and event cancellations for the promotion. The report suggests ONE Championship is facing significant operational challenges, with fighters departing, reduced activity for remaining athletes, and cancellations of major bouts and events. The developments raise questions about the long-term viability of ONE as a leading MMA promotion.
ONE Championship has parted ways with three senior executives as the promotion continues to grapple with financial strain, according to reports published on April 16, 2026.
The three departures are Vice President Rich Franklin, Senior Vice President of Competition Matt Hume, and Chief Operating Officer John Shelley. The exits follow a period of mounting operational difficulties for the Singapore-based organization, including event cancellations, reduced activity for athletes on the roster, and the departure of fighters from the promotion.
Franklin, 51, is perhaps the most recognizable name among those let go. The American, who competed out of Team Extreme and fought as a southpaw at six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, compiled a professional MMA record of 29 wins and 7 losses before transitioning into an executive role. Known by the nickname "Ace," Franklin was a high-volume striker who averaged 4.1 significant strikes landed per minute during his fighting career, posting a 44 percent striking accuracy and adding 1.31 takedowns per 15 minutes to his offensive arsenal. He had served as a senior ambassador and leadership figure for ONE since retiring from competition.
Why it matters
- The simultaneous loss of three senior executives raises serious questions about ONE Championship's organizational stability and strategic direction.
- Franklin and Hume were both deeply embedded in fighter relations and competition operations, meaning their exits could further accelerate athlete departures.
- With event cancellations already disrupting the schedule, the leadership vacuum adds another layer of uncertainty for fighters, staff, and broadcast partners tied to the promotion.
The scale of the shake-up, coming alongside reports of broader financial difficulties, underscores the pressure ONE Championship is under as it attempts to maintain its position among the world's premier MMA organizations.
