California sends cease-and-desist over human-versus-Terminator cage fight

Q: Does California require the same licensing for human-versus-robot exhibitions when the robot is remotely operated?

The notice requires prior approval and licensing for boxing or mixed martial arts exhibitions involving humans in California. The robot in this exhibition was remotely operated, and the notice does not specify a different licensing rule or an exemption for remotely operated robots.

Q: What misdemeanor penalties can organizers face under California's State Athletic Commission Act for unlicensed events?

Organizers who hold or help organize an unlicensed or unpermitted event can face a misdemeanor under California's State Athletic Commission Act. The notice does not specify fines, jail time, or other penalties.

Q: Can REK hold a human-versus-robot exhibition in California after obtaining commission approval?

Commission approval alone is not enough. REK would also need the required licensing to hold a human-versus-robot boxing or mixed martial arts exhibition in California. The notice does not specifically ban human-versus-robot exhibition matches.

Q: What robot and remote-control system did REK use in the cage fight against Frankie LaPenna?

REK used a humanoid robot in the exhibition against Frankie LaPenna, and a human operated it remotely rather than letting it fight autonomously. The robot model and specific remote-control system are not identified.

REK's founder says California sent a cease-and-desist after a human fought a humanoid robot, citing missing approval and licensing for the cage exhibition.

Jak Connor

Tech and Science Editor

Published Oct 3, 2026 8:24 AM CDT

1 minute & 15 seconds read time

TL;DR: California regulators ordered REK organizers to stop promoting or holding human boxing and MMA exhibitions without prior approval and licensing, following a human-versus-humanoid robot event. The notice does not specifically ban robot matches; reports describe the fight as staged, and the robot was remotely controlled.

Voice: Jak ConnorSpeed

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A humanoid robot cage fight featuring a human as an opponent has attracted more than just online attention, with its organizer saying California regulators have caught wind of the event and have now issued a cease-and-desist notice.

The notice, dated September 23 and shared publicly by REK founder Cix Liv, identifies the September 18 exhibition. It orders the organizers to stop holding, promoting, or advertising boxing or mixed martial arts events involving humans in California without the commission's prior approval and the required licensing. For those who missed the event, the exhibition mentioned by the regulators featured influencer Frankie LaPenna, who was up against a humanoid robot. Footage of the event shows the machine throwing kicks at its human opponent, with marketing claiming this was the first human-versus-robot cage fight.

Notably, the robot was remotely operated by a human, meaning the footage doesn't show an autonomous machine deciding how to fight in real time against a human. Some other publications report the entire event was a staged performance, meaning onlookers shouldn't treat the event as evidence of a robot defeating a human in a fight.

Furthermore, the notice from regulators states that organizers must seek proper licensing to host exhibition matches with humans, and it doesn't specifically state that human-versus-robot exhibition matches are banned. Signed by commission executive officer Andy Foster, the notice warns that holding or helping organize unlicensed or unpermitted events can constitute a misdemeanor under California's State Athletic Commission Act.

Story Q&A

From TweakTown's coverage of this story.

Does California require the same licensing for human-versus-robot exhibitions when the robot is remotely operated?

What misdemeanor penalties can organizers face under California's State Athletic Commission Act for unlicensed events?

Can REK hold a human-versus-robot exhibition in California after obtaining commission approval?

What robot and remote-control system did REK use in the cage fight against Frankie LaPenna?

Want something else? Ask TweakBot.

Lastly, REK is also developing a robot combat simulator, with its Steam listing advertising opportunities for top players to pilot real humanoid robots at live events.