GoKawiilCalifornia regulator orders Rek to halt human-vs-robot fights without approval
The California State Athletic Commission sent a cease-and-desist letter to startup Rek after it staged a September 18th match pitting human fighter Frankie LaPenna against a VR-piloted humanoid robot. The letter, posted to X by Rek CEO Cix Liv, labels the bout 'unsanctioned' and tells the company to stop promoting boxing or MMA contests involving humans in California without commission approval. Rek's next event, scheduled for Friday, will instead feature two robots armed with weapons fighting each other.