FIGHTLEDGER/MMA report

Highly touted middleweight Tim Kennedy dominated Zak Cummings last night en route to a submission win in Tulsa, Okla.

Tim Kennedy applies a choke on Zak Cummings last night in Tulsa, Okla., during a Strikeforce middleweight bout./StrikeforceKennedy stopped Cummings with a north-south choke at 2:43 of the second round during their Strikeforce Challengers bout at SpiritBank Event Center. With the victory, Kennedy improved to 11-2-0; Cummings tasted defeat for the first time as a professional, slipping to 10-1-0.

Two-time United States Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier entered a cage for the first time as a professional mixed martial artist, but his lack of experience was hardly noticeable. The 30-year-old Cormier showed why many insiders believe his future is bright.

Displaying poise, strength and striking skills, Cormier controlled fellow heavyweight Gary Frazier from the opening minute. It did not take Cormier long to realize Frazier posed no threat.

After dominating the first round, Cormier (1-0) finished matters by taking Frazier to the ground and pounding him out at 3:39 of Round 2. Frazier, a 21-year-old who also made his professional debut, appeared unsure of himself throughout the bout.

"I come to fight," Cormier said. "This is what I chose to do, so I have to leave it out there on the mat.

"I landed some big right hands. I didn't throw enough; I kind of injured my wrist about a week and a half ago. If I could have really thrown the right hand, one of my best weapons, I would have finished him earlier."

In other bouts: Ray Sefo submitted Kevin Jordan at 24 seconds of the second. Tyron Woodley submitted Zach Light at 3:38 of the second. Thomas Longacre defeated Travis Calanoc by unanimous decision -- all three judges scored the bout 30-27. Dillon Smith submitted Lemont Davis at 1:15 of the first. Josh Pulsifer submitted Nick Gibbons at 1:05 of the first. Kenny Giddens submitted Jon Carson at 4:15 of the second. Trey Houston submitted Brandon Gaines at 1:28 of the second. Paul Bradley registered a unanimous decision over Levi Avera. Jeri Sitzes stopped Lacey Schuckman by TKO at 2:18 of the third.