Affliction Clothing co-founder Todd Beard passed away Friday, according to former business partner Tom Atencio Atencio verified the news to Sherdog.com founder Jeff Sherwood on Saturday evening, though a cause of death was not confirmed.Beard helped found the California-based MMA apparel company in 2005, and Affliction later became one of the sport’s most popular clothing brands and a sponsor for high-profile fighters. The brand ventured into fight promotion in 2008 by launching the independently operated Affliction Entertainment, though that venture ultimately proved short-lived, with the promotion folding the following year after holding just two shows.Beard resigned as an employee of Affliction Inc. in 2008, as reported by Sherdog in November of that year