Frankie LaPenna participated in a viral cage fight event against humanoid robots organized by REK in San Francisco. The event featured three robots, including two modified EngineAI T800s that resemble characters from "The Terminator." Standing about six feet tall and weighing between 165 to 187 pounds, the T800s were remotely controlled by human pilots using VR gear or gamepads, with AI assisting in balance and movement. The footage showed LaPenna engaging physically with the robots, who responded with punches and kicks directed by their human controllers.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
We've watched humanoid robots play soccer, run races and even fight other robots.
asserted
robots → watch → robots
Now, content creator Frankie LaPenna has taken things in a much wilder direction by stepping into a cage to fight them himself.
asserted
LaPenna → take → them
The event was staged by REK, a robotics entertainment company that puts remotely controlled humanoids into live combat events.
asserted
that → stag → events
In San Francisco, LaPenna faced three robots in a series of bouts, including two full-size EngineAI T800s, as part of what REK billed as the first human-versus-humanoid robot cage fight.
asserted
REK → face → fight
The viral footage getting most of the attention comes from one of those T800 fights.
asserted
footage → get → fights
LaPenna moves toward the robot and throws several punches.
asserted
LaPenna → move → punches
The machine fires back with punches and kicks before one shot sends him flying across the cage.
asserted
him → fire → cage
And if the robot looks like it walked straight out of The Terminator, that was clearly the point.
asserted
that → look → Terminator
But the bigger story here is what these machines can actually do, who was controlling them and how much of the fighting was really driven by AI.
asserted
much → do → AI
Watch the replay and discover 5 ways AI can help you get better healthcare.
asserted
you → watch → healthcare
Our free CyberGuy LIVE class Get Better Healthcare with AI has ended, but you can still watch the full replay.
asserted
you → get → replay
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson walks you through five practical ways AI can help you prepare for appointments, remember important details, understand complicated medical information, research prescription questions and organize your next steps.
asserted
you → walk → steps
No technical experience is needed.
asserted
experience → need → ?
Plus, recordings of all our past classes are available, including How to Stop Spam, Phone Security and Financial Protection, each with a free downloadable checklist.
asserted
recordings → include → checklist
Watch the free replays and get your checklists at CyberGuyLive.com
The bigger robots were modified EngineAI T800s
After facing a smaller Unitree G1, LaPenna went up against two modified EngineAI T800s, built by Chinese robotics company EngineAI.
asserted
LaPenna → watch → EngineAI
EngineAI lists the standard T800 at about 5 feet 8 inches tall and roughly 165 to 187 pounds, depending on the version.
asserted
EngineAI → list → version
REK describes the modified machines used in its fights as about 6 feet tall.
asserted
REK → describe → fights
For the event, REK also gave the T800 a much more intimidating look.
asserted
REK → give → look
The mechanical head and glowing red eyes lean heavily into The Terminator theme.
asserted
head → glow → theme
Put a machine that size inside a fighting cage and you can see why the video grabbed so much attention.
asserted
video → put → attention
There was a person controlling the robot
Here's the big thing to know about this fight: there was a human behind the controls.
asserted
thing → be → controls
REK's technology partner Reflex Arc says pilots operate the humanoids in real time using VR gear or a gamepad.
asserted
pilots → say → gear
AI helps with balance and trained movement, while the human pilot directs the action.
asserted
pilot → help → action
So when you see a T800 throw a punch or launch a kick, the robot is carrying out the pilot's commands.
asserted
robot → see → commands
It is not independently deciding how to fight LaPenna.
asserted
It → decide → LaPenna
That still leaves plenty to be impressed by because the machine has to stay upright, recover from contact and turn those commands into real physical movement inside the cage.
asserted
machine → leave → cage
Frankie LaPenna actually fought three robots
asserted
LaPenna → fight → robots
The viral clip getting most of the attention only shows part of what happened that night.
asserted
what → get → part
According to REK CEO Cix Liv, LaPenna faced three robots during the event.
uncertain
LaPenna → accord → event
He reportedly started against a smaller Unitree G1 before moving on to two modified EngineAI T800 humanoids.
uncertain
He → start → humanoids
REK says its modified T800 machines can kick with up to 850 pounds of force, which helps explain why the footage looks so intense.
asserted
footage → say → force
LaPenna was knocked down during one of the T800 bouts, but Liv said he recovered, knocked the robot off balance and ultimately ended the fight with the robot's head coming off.
asserted
head → knock → fight
REK has continued teasing more footage, and the short clips circulating online still do not show the full sequence of all three bouts.
asserted
clips → continue → bouts
So what most people are seeing online is only one part of the event.
asserted
seeing → see → event
The fight took a physical toll on LaPenna
The physical side of the fight became pretty clear once LaPenna started trading punches with the robots.
asserted
LaPenna → take → robots
Liv said LaPenna originally wanted to fight without protective equipment, but REK insisted that he wear it.
asserted
he → say → it
He ultimately entered the cage in motorcycle-style protective gear and gloves.
asserted
He → enter → gear
According to Liv, LaPenna injured his hand while punching one of the robots but otherwise avoided a serious injury.
uncertain
LaPenna → accord → injury
Even with a human controlling the machine remotely, LaPenna was still trading blows with a heavy metal robot capable of putting real force behind its movements.
asserted
LaPenna → control → movements
REK is betting on robot fighting as entertainment
REK has been building toward this kind of event for a while.
asserted
REK → bet → while
…and 32 more, not listed.
The Aporia
