I think Beard has engaged the self-destruct button for Affliction. They were already in serious trouble, and now they seem to be working to hasten their own demise.

I’m not sure that the rift between Randy and Beard will keep other Xtreme Couture athletes from fighting with Affliction. When I read the Fighters Only article, it just enforced in my mind the notion that Gina and the Coutures are especially chummy. You kind of see that when Kim came out against the weigh in debacle and talked about working to get Gina more money when she talked to Steve Coffield. I think they’re represented by the same management group also. But certainly, you’re correct in that it doesn’t help Affliction’s survival to piss off the guy that runs one of the premier camps in all of MMA.

The biggest problem Affliction seems to have is they don’t understand the various fighter camps. When you train, eat breath and sleep a sport like MMA with the same people, in some cases for a long time, they become like family. You don’t mess with a persons family. That loyalty should not be underestimated. That’s how feuds and bad blood start alot of the time. Affliction needs to respect all fighter camps, but in particular Extreme Couture because Randy is really doing a good job helping his fighters be successful. To do otherwise could cause more problems than Affliction needs right now.