Content creator Frankie Lapenna participated in a series of cage matches against three robots organized by REK, a company specializing in fights between remote-controlled machines. Before Lapenna faced a six-foot robot, the announcer informed the audience, "For the first time in history, a human faces off against a six-foot-tall robot." Lapenna's coach expressed concern, stating, "I’m scared for you, man."
Video footage from the fight shows Lapenna throwing several punches before the robot kicks him to the floor. The clip ends there, but REK CEO Cix Liv told the Daily Mail that Lapenna recovered, knocked the robot off balance, and managed to "rip its head off." Liv noted that Lapenna contacted REK about two months prior to the event and initially wanted to fight without protective gear, but the company insisted he wear it. After witnessing the robot's capabilities, Lapenna requested additional protection and fought in motorcycle gear and gloves designed for hand protection.
Lapenna first faced a smaller Unitree G1 robot, followed by two modified ENGINEAI T800 robots, each approximately six feet tall. According to REK, the larger machines can kick with a force of 850 pounds. Lapenna sustained a hand injury from punching one of the robots but was otherwise unharmed, as reported by Liv.
REK has not yet announced the outcome of Lapenna’s final fight. Liv mentioned that the human-versus-robot match was initially planned as a one-time event, but the company may consider hosting another match due to public interest. The video of the event has generated humorous responses online, with users on X imagining their own experiences facing robots.