The California State Athletic Commission issued a cease-and-desist order on 23 September to Robot Entertainment Kombat (REK), CEO Cix Liv, and other involved parties. Any mixed martial arts or boxing contest featuring a human in California requires prior approval from the regulator.
Holding a combat event without a state license or permit can be classified as a misdemeanor. A spokesperson for the California Department of Consumer Affairs stated the regulator is committed to protecting public safety and the integrity of combat sports.
The same spokesperson noted that unsanctioned events put the financial and physical well-being of participants at risk. Frankie LaPenna, a 5-foot-6 tall fighter weighing 205 pounds, competed in three separate matches against humanoid robots in an octagon.
Robot Entertainment Kombat (REK) organised the cage fights, where human operators remotely controlled the machines. LaPenna defeated the first robot opponent and a second machine that stood 6 feet tall, weighed 200 pounds, and possessed a claimed kick force of 850 pounds.
The fighter lost his match against the third robot, remarking, "He doesn’t get tired. He doesn’t stay down." Approximately 100 spectators attended the event, which generated more than 10 million views on YouTube.
Ken Goldberg claimed that putting a human against a heavily motorized machine is inherently unfair. LaPenna said, "Clankers zero, humans one."
