California orders REK to stop human vs. robot fights
REK, a robotics startup, received a cease-and-desist order from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) after hosting a human versus robot cage match in San Francisco on September 18, 2026. The event featured YouTuber Frankie LaPenna fighting three different robots. CSAC stated that organizing such contests without a license is a misdemeanor under Business and Professions Code sections…
Key points
- California State Athletic Commission sent REK a cease-and-desist order for unsanctioned human vs. robot fights.
- The order cites Business and Professions Code sections 18640, 18870, and 18878, making unlicensed promotion a misdemeanor.
- REK offers private robot fighting events starting at $10,000 and a simulator on Steam and Meta Quest.
REK’s founder and CEO, Cix Liv, shared the document on social media. The company markets its platform with slogans like “Real pilots, real punches” and offers private robot fighting events starting at $10,000. While the article notes it is unclear if the event was a sporting contest or a promotional stunt, CSAC’s intervention highlights the regulatory gap for human-robot combat. The agency regulates combat sports involving humans to ensure safety and fairness, but the order suggests it would not have intervened if the fight had been between robots only.
The incident draws comparisons to the movie Real Steel, where humanoid robots compete in boxing. REK also offers a simulator called Real Robot Simulator on Steam and Meta Quest, allowing users to qualify for live events. The cease-and-desist order forces REK to either obtain proper licensing or halt its human-involving combat events in California.
Robotics startup has real human vs. robot cage match, California responds with cease-and-desist order
Tom's Hardware · 4 October 2026
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