ONE Championship has dismissed three key executives: vice president and former UFC fighter Rich Franklin, senior vice president of competition Matt Hume, and chief operating officer John Sehler. These firings come amid ongoing financial difficulties and tournament cancellations for the promotion. The post suggests this trend indicates ONE Championship may not continue much longer as one of the leading MMA promotions globally. Fighters are leaving the organization, those remaining are fighting infrequently, key personnel are being let go, and major fights and events are being cancelled. The commentary expresses concern about the promotion's future viability.
ONE Championship has parted ways with three senior executives, a development that adds fresh uncertainty to the promotion's already turbulent financial situation.
Rich Franklin, the former UFC middleweight champion turned vice president at ONE, is among those let go. Franklin, 51, built one of MMA's more decorated careers before moving into front-office work, finishing with a professional record of 29-7-0. The American, who competed out of Team Extreme, was a technically well-rounded fighter in his day — landing 4.1 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy while also averaging 1.31 takedowns per 15 minutes over the course of his career. His departure removes a recognizable name and a fighter's perspective from ONE's leadership structure.
Alongside Franklin, senior vice president of competition Matt Hume and chief operating officer John Sehler have also been dismissed. Hume has long been one of the most respected minds in Asian MMA, having shaped the competitive direction of the promotion for years. Sehler's exit as COO leaves a significant operational void at a moment when the organization can least afford instability.
Why it matters
- The dismissals follow a pattern of financial strain that has already led to event cancellations and fighters departing the roster.
- Losing the VP of competition and the COO simultaneously strips ONE of both its sporting and operational leadership.
- Fighters who remain with the promotion have been competing infrequently, raising questions about the organization's ability to maintain its roster and scheduling commitments.
- The cumulative picture — executive exits, event cancellations, and roster attrition — raises serious questions about ONE Championship's long-term standing among the world's top MMA promotions.
