Zuffa won the first battle in its ongoing war with Randy Couture (Pictures) yesterday, as Judge Jennifer Togliatti granted the company a preliminary injunction barring Randy Couture (Pictures)'s participation in the International Fight League's event Friday in Las Vegas.

"Randy Couture (Pictures) is enjoined from engaging in any promotion or production of events or programming related to unarmed combat during the February 29, 2008 event," according to the minutes of the hearing.

The victory, however, was a shallow one, as the court noted that many of the issues regarding Couture's involvement in the event had become moot. As Sherdog.com reported Thursday night, prior to the ruling the IFL agreed remove "Xtreme Couture" from the event, including any references on its Web site, as a professional courtesy to Couture. In an amended affidavit filed yesterday with the court, Couture further stated that he had no intention of attending the event.

The injunction is exceedingly narrow, applying only to tonight's card at the Orleans Arena. The parties will be back in court on March 6 for a discovery hearing.