Human vs. robot: china's t800 humanoid makes fighting debut in US robot combat tournament

On September 20, 2026, the Chinese humanoid robot T800 from Zhongqing made its debut in the REK robot combat tournament in San Francisco, USA. The event, held in an octagon cage, featured the robot facing off against human boxer Frankie LaPenna. Equipped with a Terminator-style head, the T800 delivered a powerful kick that sent LaPenna to the ground, securing a victory. The match was not fully autonomous; instead, an operator controlled the robot via VR headset and motion controllers, while the robot handled balance and posture adjustments. The same day, REK also showcased a robot resembling the Predator, which also defeated LaPenna in a separate match. The event highlighted the growing trend of human-robot combat in real-world settings, drawing comparisons to the fictional world of 'Iron Fist.'