\nIs the end near? Or do we still stand a chance? https:\/\/t.co\/MTnmDOLfq6September 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n
The cease-and-desist refers to the human vs. humanoid cage fight that the company sponsored on Sep. 18, 2026, where YouTuber Frankie LaPenna entered a fighting cage and faced off with three different robots. Now, it\u2019s unclear if this was a sporting contest or a promotional stunt, but it was clearly used to give the REK robot fighting platform more publicity. After all, REK has been advertising its events as \u201cReal pilots, real punches. Humanoid robots in brutal, full-contact combat,\u201d and even offers private events with robots facing off in three rounds. Aside from that, a robot is already dangerous as it is<\/a>, so a human facing off with one raises countless safety concerns and ethical issues. You can read the full order by expanding the tweet below.<\/p>\n We made it boys. California sent us a Cease and Desist for “UNSANCTIONED HUMAN VERSUS HUMANOID ROBOT CAGE FIGHT” https:\/\/t.co\/cw2jjl1aNVSeptember 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n REK is proof of life imitating art, as we\u2019ve already seen something similar in the movie Real Steel, with Hugh Jackman\u2019s character and his son training a discarded humanoid boxing robot, allowing it to rise through the ranks and challenge the reigning champion in a classic underdog plot intertwined with a father-and-son story. While there\u2019s no indication that Liv was inspired by the 2011 Hollywood film, the similarity of their concepts is quite uncanny. We\u2019ve also seen another robot startup following into the footsteps of Hollywood after it decommissioned its old robots \u201cTerminator-style\u201d<\/a> by making them jump into a vat of molten steel.<\/p>\n Latest Videos FromTom’s Hardware<\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in seeing these matches, REK has listed its past events on its website,<\/a> where you can watch some of their replays on YouTube. The company hosts live events, although we don\u2019t have a schedule for the remainder of the year yet; those who want to see them in the metal without waiting for a match can sponsor a private event, which starts at a cool $10,000. But if you\u2019re interested in piloting one of these fighting robots, you can download the company\u2019s official Real Robot Simulator, which is available on Steam<\/a> and Meta Quest. Those who reach the Pro level and qualify could even get to pilot the real thing in a live event.<\/p>\n Regardless of whether the LaPenna vs. robot fight was a legitimate combat sports event or a promotional showcase, it just made sense for CSAC to step in. After all, the state agency regulates combat sports where at least one party is a human to ensure fairness and enforce safety, especially with lives involved. But with the way the cease-and-desist was worded, it looks as though CSAC would not have intervened if the September 18 fight had just been between robots.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n The Cease and Desist Order<\/p>\n \u201cPLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you and each of you are hereby ordered to cease and desist from: (1) holding, promoting, or advertising any boxing or mixed martial arts contest match, or exhibition, involving any human in the State of California without the prior approval of the California State Athletic Commission, or (2) engaging in the promotion of, or participation in, a boxing or martial arts contest, match, or exhibition involving any human without a license pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 18640,\u201d CSAC said in its letter. \u201cPLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that Business and Professions Code section 18870 and 18878 make it a misdemeanor for a person or promoter who is required to be license by the State Athletic Commission to directly or indirectly hold, aid or abet, or attempt to hold, aid, or abet the holding of, any contest, match, or exhibition without having first obtained a license or permit therefor from the State Athletic Commission or to otherwise violate any provision of the State Athletic Commission Act.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n Follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News<\/a>, or add us as a preferred source<\/a>, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds.<\/p>\n![\"Google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791144258_372_7cUTDmN2PHNRiNBVqbKf56.png\")
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