In wake of the restraining order filed by Kim Couture against Todd Beard -- one of the original founders of the Affliction clothing brand -- earlier this week, the t-shirt manufacturer/mixed martial arts promotion today announced that Beard would be resign from his post with the company.
Beard has a history of violence against women, including allegations of punching his pregnant girlfriend in the stomach in 1996, as well as several other cases of domestic abuse. He also served 30 months in a federal prison for three felony counts of conspiracy, wire fraud and mail fraud.
In short, Beard is not the straightest arrow in the quiver.
As a result of his latest actions, he issued a public apology regarding the Couture situation along with his resignation.
Here's a snip:
"I would like to apologize for my comments that may have offended Kim and Randy Couture and Mr. Spira. I had a long-standing relationship with the Coutures and I was deeply and emotionally hurt by some of their recent business decisions. I have only the best of intentions for the success of the Affliction and Xtreme Couture clothing brands and understand that there are personal issues I must address."
Beard also addressed the fact that he has an alcohol abuse problem to go along with his anger management issues. He'll be seeking professional help for both problems.
All of this comes a little more than two months before Affliction MMA's second ever event, "Day of Reckoning," which is set for the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on January 24. The highly anticipated heavyweight showdown between WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski is scheduled as the featured bout of the night.
For what it's worth, it's important to note that Tom Atencio, not Beard, is the one who runs the MMA promotional side of the business. Therefore, from an inhouse logistics perspective, his departure should not have much --if any -- impact on them running live events.
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