Human fights remote-controlled robot in viral cage bout

Footage of content creator Frankie LaPenna fighting a six-foot humanoid robot inside an MMA-style cage at an event organized by Robot Entertainment Kombat, or REK, in San Francisco has gone viral online. The bout, which REK held on September 18, 2026, was described by the company as the first Human VS Terminator robot fight. In the circulating clips, LaPenna, who is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, throws punches at the machine before the robot strikes back with punches and forceful kicks. One kick sends him flying backwards across the cage, and another drives him into the perspex wall, leaving him struggling to get back to his feet. Attendees expressed fear at the robot's forceful strikes, which are powered by its actuators. REK has stated that the robot was remotely controlled by a human pilot, with artificial intelligence assisting functions such as balance while fighting decisions came from the operator. The company normally stages fights between humanoid robots controlled by pilots using VR or gamepad controls.