Best-of-the-best ... so far

It's hard to believe we're more than halfway through 2008. In what has been a roller-coaster year of action in cages and rings around the world, mixed martial artists have never before enjoyed more prominent venues to showcase their skills.

Though we've got a long way to go before the year's end, so much has happened that it's worth reflecting upon the best in four mid-year categories.

Miguel Torres vs. Yoshiro Maeda -- Round 2, WEC 34

In front of an appreciative crowd in Sacramento, Calif., the 135-pounders went to war for three rounds before doctors stopped the contest because Maeda's right eye had swelled shut. While the entire fight offered quality action, it was the second round that really stood out.

Defending his World Extreme Cagefighting bantamweight belt against the Pancrase champion, Torres met resistance each time he attacked -- and he attacked a lot. Maeda refused to be pushed out of the way by the dangerous champion, making a competitive round incredibly exciting as 10,000-plus fans inside Arco Arena went wild when the two exchanged leg locks.

Each fighter took hard shots. Each recovered. In many ways, the second was a perfect round, having displayed the skill and will that only the best fighters carry into the cage.

Runners-Up:

Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith -- Round 2, CBS-EliteXC's inaugural Saturday Night Fights

There was no backing down in this EliteXC middleweight title fight. Lawler and Smith refused to give in, resulting in some dynamic exchanges. Though the bout resulted in a no contest when Lawler accidentally poked Smith in the eye, the 185-pounders return to the cage July 26 the resolve the battle.

Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le -- Round 3, Strikeforce