California regulator orders robot fighting startup to halt human bouts
The California State Athletic Commission sent a cease-and-desist letter to Rek, a startup that staged a human-versus-robot fight in September. The commission said the event was unsanctioned and that Rek cannot promote or hold combat exhibitions involving humans in California without approval. Rek's next scheduled match will feature two weaponized robots fighting each other.
The dispute follows a September 18 event in which Frankie LaPenna fought a Rek-owned humanoid robot. According to the report, the machine was operated remotely through a virtual-reality setup. Rek presents itself online as a league centered on humanoid robot combat, and the robot appeared to be an EngineAI model fitted with a Terminator-style head.
Rek CEO Cix Liv shared the commission’s September 30 letter on X. It labeled the bout unsanctioned and told Liv and Rek to stop staging, promoting, or advertising boxing or mixed martial arts matches or exhibitions with any human in California absent commission approval. Rek’s next scheduled match, set for Friday, will instead pair two armed robots against each other.
The commission’s action may push robot-combat promoters toward clearer safety and sanctioning rules, especially when humans are involved. Audiences and participants could see fewer human-vs-machine exhibitions in California, while robot-only events may continue. Insurers, venues, and regulators might face new questions about liability and consent. The outcome could shape how emerging entertainment blends robotics, remote operation, and combat sports, though its broader effect remains uncertain.