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California regulator tells robot-fighting startup REK to halt unapproved bouts

2026-10-10 Category: Global Comments(0)

The California State Athletic Commission has sent a letter to technology startup REK ordering it to stop staging unapproved fights after it held a human-versus-robot match last month.

California regulator tells robot-fighting startup REK to halt unapproved bouts

On Sept. 18, Frankie LaPeña faced one of REK’s humanoid robots. The robot was remotely controlled by a human through a virtual reality system, according to the report.

REK describes itself on its website as a “humanoid robot fighting league.” The robot in the match may have been an EngineAI product fitted with a head resembling the robot in “The Terminator.”

REK CEO Sixx Liiv posted the commission’s notice on X on Sept. 30. The commission determined the earlier match was unapproved and told Liiv and REK not to hold, promote or advertise any boxing, mixed martial arts or exhibition bouts involving humans in California without its approval.

Liiv responded: “We made it, boys!”

REK’s next fight is scheduled for Oct. 9 local time, when two weapon-equipped robots are set to face off.

California regulator tells robot-fighting startup REK to halt unapproved bouts

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