Michael Phelps Wins 100M Butterfly, Lochte Misses Cut at Olympic Trials

Michael Phelps versus Ryan Lochte is shaping up to be one of the best rivalries at the 2012 London Olympics.

In their most recent showdown, Phelps edged out Lochte and second-place finisher Tyler McGill by posting the fastest time in the 100-meter butterfly in the world this year.

Phelps touched the wall in 51.14, beating McGill by 0.18 seconds. Lochte did well to fight back to third after a lackluster start that saw him swimming in sixth for a portion of the race.

The New Yorker failed to qualify for the Olympics for this event, but will have his chance to add some more medals to his collection in the multiple events he has already qualified for.

The impressive times are just a testament to how good the three swimmers truly are. McGill's time was the second-fastest in the 100-meter butterfly this year, while Lochte's was fourth.

Phelps beat Lochte yet again, after he finished 0.9 seconds ahead of his most dangerous competitor in the 200-meter individual medley. The 100-meter butterfly was nowhere near as heart-stopping as Saturday's individual medley contest in which the two best swimmers in the world went stroke for stroke the entire way.

It appeared as though Lochte was on track to best Phelps in these Olympic trials, but the Baltimore-born swimmer proved that was not the case. Lochte posted two wins over Phelps during the World Championships last year, then edged him in the 400-meter individual medley on night one of the trials.

The 16-time medal winner, who will be competing in his last Olympics this summer, now holds a three-to-one edge over Lochte after winning the 200-meter individual medley, the 200-meter freestyle and the 100-meter butterfly.

We're in for a real treat this summer thanks to the Phelps-Lochte series, and things will only heat up as we get closer to the real thing.

Stay tuned for the latest on both swimmers.