NHRA driver Ron Capps with some UFC predictions

This is a big weekend in Southern California, not only are the Kings home tonight for another game, but the NHRA Drag Races are going on in Pomona - where they're wrapping up their season and crowning champions in the pro classes - plus, you have UFC putting on one of the biggest heavyweight fights in a long time down in Anaheim.

Earlier this week, we had Clay Guida on MayorsManor (link here). He's in the UFC's semi-main event tonight, where a lot is at stake as well. The winner between he and Ben Henderson will get a lightweight title shot early next year.

Guida, a Chicago Blackhawks fan, said he was up to the task, despite being an underdog according to odds makers.

The NHRA was represented by driver Courtney Force at Thursday's Kings game and she came on MayorsManor to talk hockey and racing just prior to dropping the ceremonial first puck (link).

In a further convergence of today's big three events, while out at the drags interviewing drivers yesterday, I stumbled into a UFC conversation with funny car pilot Ron Capps.

UFC Fighter Clay Guida talks hockey and haircuts

Through the years, we've had a variety of celebrities and athletes on MayorsManor - like Greg Hetson of the band Bad Religion, Hall of Fame pro wrestler Nick Bockwinkel and Dodgers' left fielder Matt Kemp - to talk about a myriad of subjects.

With the UFC in town for a big fight card this Saturday night, we spoke with lightweight title contender Clay Guida after today's presser downtown. And, like usual, the conversation found it's way back to hockey.

MM: Let's start with your mom, she's always cageside when you fight. What's the best or worse advice she gave you growing up?

Guida: 'Don't put your hands on someone unless you have a good reason for it.' She would always tell me, my brother and sister growing up, 'Keep your hands to yourself.' So, it's funny - that's what I do for a living now, I get to put my hands on other men. Competitively! (then he laughed quite a bit)

MM: How did that work out with Jason then, your older brother?

Guida: I was his wrestling dummy my whole life, still am. (more laughter)

Interview with Kings Prospect JF Berube (QMJHL Goalie)

The future has never...NEVER, EVER!...looked brighter in net for the Los Angeles Kings.

Already blessed with two solid aces at the NHL level (Jonathan's Quick and Bernier), plus two gems in the making at Manchester (Martin Jones and Jeff Zatkoff), it's easy for some to forget about JF Berube.

After all, he plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the often less publicized of the three Canadian junior leagues.

However, Berube - taken by the Kings in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft - isn't somebody to be ignored. He was under consideration for the goalie slot on Canada's recent World Junior team (in fact, he provided a report here from their summer camp last year) and he just finished the regular season in the 'Q' as one of the top goaltenders, statistically speaking.

Last night, his Montreal Junior team won their opening round playoff game against the visiting Halifax Mooseheads 5-3. Of course, Berube was is net.

Prior to the game though, I spoke with him as part of our 'prospect playoff preview' series this week on MayorsManor...

MM: Last summer you said you wanted to approach this season with the goal of being one of the top goalies in the league and you wanted to have a "big season." Did you feel you accomplished that?