'World's first human vs robot' fight ends in decisive outcome as fans say 'entertaining and terrifying'  (https://gmpg.org/xfn/11) (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17039309/mma-news-man-vs-terminator-fight/)     (../wp-content/themes/thesun/static/app.manifest@ver=9143b66a48591deb203d) (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/themes/thesun/static/images/apple-icons/apple-icon.png)  (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/themes/thesun/static/images/apple-icons/apple-icon-57x57.png)  (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/themes/thesun/static/images/apple-icons/apple-icon-114x114.png)  (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/themes/thesun/static/images/apple-icons/apple-icon-144x144.png)  (../wp-content/themes/thesun/static/images/favicons/favicon.ico)  (https://gmpg.org/xfn/11)    (https://ads.the-sun.com/)  (https://snippet.affilimatejs.com/)  (https://tags.tiqcdn.com/)  (https://www.googletagservices.com/)  (https://v0.wordpress.com/)  (https://ads.thesun.co.uk/)  (https://cmp.cdn.thesun.co.uk/)  (https://ptr.thesun.co.uk/)  (https://tags.tiqcdn.com)  (https://ads.thesun.co.uk)  (https://cmp.cdn.thesun.co.uk)  (https://ptr.thesun.co.uk)  (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/themes/thesun/client/src/fonts/thesun/TheSun-Regular.woff2)  (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/themes/thesun/client/src/fonts/thesun/TheSun-Medium.woff2)  (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/themes/thesun/client/src/fonts/thesun/TheSun-Bold.woff2)  (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/themes/thesun/client/src/fonts/thesun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2)  (../wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/09/OQ-OP-ROBOT-V-HUMAN.jpg@quality=90&strip=all&w=1434&h=807&crop=1)  (https://tags.tiqcdn.com/utag/newsinternational/thesun.com.web.2019/prod/utag.js)  (https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js)  (https://cdn.brandmetrics.com/tag/3507d3a478cd4f59b15eb40434141032/thesuncom.js)  (https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/3da4c90527b29038dd113ce27c238172452234d08bf08d755b6981870031b738?dt=1585330388)  (https://cdn.permutive.com/88a66e5c-8fe8-48af-9c6c-3ec3f4983aad-web.js)  (https://ads.the-sun.com/dfp.json)  (https://players.brightcove.net/5067014667001/Jy5cnrEmQ_default/index.min.js)  (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/js/thesun-brightcove-lead-video.bundle.js?ver=1789484529)  (https://www.the-sun.com/assets/optimizely/19638580519.js)  (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/global-assets.min.css@ver=1b7d15c2eeedd5bda426.css)  (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/global-assets.min.css@ver=1b7d15c2eeedd5bda426.css)   (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/header-footer.min.css@ver=3f878621d7cc962a65c5.css)  (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/header-footer.min.css@ver=3f878621d7cc962a65c5.css)   (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/blocks-core.min.css@ver=9cc345e2811efa5fe2cd.css)  (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/blocks-core.min.css@ver=9cc345e2811efa5fe2cd.css)   (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/templates-shared-interior-with-sidebar.min.css@ver=fcc80b4514ef1d2e892a.css)  (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/templates-shared-interior-with-sidebar.min.css@ver=fcc80b4514ef1d2e892a.css)   (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/footer-more-stories.min.css@ver=d08e94a2be3ffff0c4b6.css)  (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/footer-more-stories.min.css@ver=d08e94a2be3ffff0c4b6.css)   (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/section-subnav.min.css@ver=879fa4cd7d491a8d9d27.css)  (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/section-subnav.min.css@ver=879fa4cd7d491a8d9d27.css)   (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/modals.min.css@ver=caf8c7a7c0691af2adcd.css)  (../wp-content/themes/gtf/client/build/css/modals.min.css@ver=caf8c7a7c0691af2adcd.css)   (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-global-assets.min.css@ver=532e6593cf41f7318de2.css)  (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-global-assets.min.css@ver=532e6593cf41f7318de2.css)   (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-header-footer.min.css@ver=16187b9781fd0f7f836e.css)  (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-header-footer.min.css@ver=16187b9781fd0f7f836e.css)   (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-blocks-core.min.css@ver=5bbf965ecd00569ef2c5.css)  (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-blocks-core.min.css@ver=5bbf965ecd00569ef2c5.css)   (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-blocks-custom.min.css@ver=1170a3e1102ca7e43b90.css)  (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-blocks-custom.min.css@ver=1170a3e1102ca7e43b90.css)   (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-templates-shared-article-like.min.css@ver=e625d26a205da167ae5f.css)  (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-templates-shared-article-like.min.css@ver=e625d26a205da167ae5f.css)   (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-modals.min.css@ver=11bc2088ba115c4ae104.css)  (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-modals.min.css@ver=11bc2088ba115c4ae104.css)   (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-modal.min.css@ver=d49b293170dfe94f78bc.css)  (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-modal.min.css@ver=d49b293170dfe94f78bc.css)   (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-open-web.min.css@ver=f5ceeb3ae2f660439522.css)   (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-google-one-tap.min.css@ver=ece5773b02e540d6c1fb.css)  (../wp-content/themes/thesun/client/build/css/thesun-google-one-tap.min.css@ver=ece5773b02e540d6c1fb.css)   (../../players.brightcove.net/videojs-pip/1/videojs-pip.css@ver=2.8.6.css)  (../../players.brightcove.net/videojs-pip/1/videojs-pip.css@ver=2.8.6.css)    (../wp-content/mu-plugins/jetpack-15.7/jetpack_vendor/automattic/jetpack-forms/dist/contact-form/css/jetpack-forms-layout.css@m=1790106598g.css)  (../wp-content/plugins/nuk-wp-opta/build/opta-widget-block/style-index.css@m=1789484527g.css)  (../_static/index.html@%253F-eJxtjuEOwiAMhF%252FIrtHMuP0wPgsCY41QSAqZjy9kTo36q8l317vDJYGOnC1nTL44YkGXJxBPxsocFwjRKI%252FXQt7gNyU29t5pkR1+5OTZBivtSGHUnhpcA6r1yeFPSxeIf9K2VRVxuUF7XVWpKgTFytW6V4NK6T3rEs770zD2Q388jA9G3FeU.css)  (../_static/index.html@%253F-eJxljtEKgkAQRX+odSiM9CH6lFh3Bx0aR3FmTf++tpKCni5czj1cuI8uDGIoBiOnlkRB0s3hYjiJZ6eeUZ2PCk0ijqC2MjqSiEsRVHfwI7AOe9QcmgQCUy7fsyf66Z2hV5y06En+DNuFZqK2szDM6GaKOGRAMBh4VTR96b7MdWS%252FMqltzkt%252F3p+quqzK46F+AJKCVUM=.css)  (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-json/)  (JSON) (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/17039309)  (RSD) (https://www.the-sun.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd)   (oEmbed (JSON)) (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-sun.com%2Fsport%2F17039309%2Fmma-news-man-vs-terminator-fight%2F)  (oEmbed (XML)) (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-sun.com%2Fsport%2F17039309%2Fmma-news-man-vs-terminator-fight%2F&format=xml)        (https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/40451287/mma-news-man-vs-terminator-fight/)  (https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/40451287/mma-news-man-vs-terminator-fight/)  (https://www.thesun.ie/sport/17653950/mma-news-man-vs-terminator-fight/)  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17039309/mma-news-man-vs-terminator-fight/)                          (../wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/01/cropped-UsSunFavicon.png@w=32)  (../wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/01/cropped-UsSunFavicon.png@w=192)  (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/01/cropped-UsSunFavicon.png?w=180)      (https://www.the-sun.com) The US Sun             US Edition      (https://thesun.co.uk/) UK Edition   (https://thescottishsun.co.uk/) Scottish Sun   (https://thesun.ie/) Irish Sun      Search      Search  (Search The Sun US)              (https://login.the-sun.com/?gotoUrl=https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17039309/?login=true)    Sign in  (https://home.thesun.co.uk/)    My Account       (https://www.the-sun.com) The US Sun             (https://www.the-sun.com/videos/) Video  (https://www.the-sun.com/news/) News  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/) Sport  (https://www.the-sun.com/tv/) TV  (https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/) Entertainment  (https://www.the-sun.com/money/) Money  (https://www.the-sun.com/tech/) Tech  (https://www.the-sun.com/motors/) Motors  (https://www.the-sun.com/travel/) Travel  (https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/) Lifestyle  (https://www.the-sun.com/health/) Health  (https://www.the-sun.com/royals/) Royals  (https://www.the-sun.com/wellness/) Wellness  (https://www.the-sun.com/betting/) Betting  (https://www.the-sun.com/shopping/) Shopping  (https://www.the-sun.com/index/) Topics A-Z  More        More from The Sun (https://link.the-sun.com/join/sailthru-new-enter-email) Newsletters  (https://jobs.the-sun.com/?source=navbar&utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=partner_referral) US Jobs      (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/american-football/) Football  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/basketball/) Basketball  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/baseball/) Baseball  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/boxing/) Boxing  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/soccer/) Soccer  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/mma/) MMA  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/tennis/) Tennis  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/wwe/) WWE  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/golf/) Golf  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/horseracing/) Horse Racing              (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/) Sport  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/mma/) MMA   METAL GEAR SOLID  ‘World’s first human vs robot’ fight ends in decisive outcome as fans say ‘entertaining and terrifying’    (https://www.thesun.co.uk/author/chisanga-malata/) Chisanga Malata  , Digital Sports Reporter   Published:  17:08, 21 Sep 2026  | Updated:  14:21, 22 Sep 2026    (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=https://www.the-sun.com)       Add us as a preferred source           (https://www.the-sun.com/)              (https://x.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-sun.com%2Fsport%2F17039309%2Fmma-news-man-vs-terminator-fight&text='World's%20first%20human%20vs%20robot'%20fight%20ends%20in%20decisive%20outcome)      (https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-sun.com%2Fsport%2F17039309%2Fmma-news-man-vs-terminator-fight&t='World's%20first%20human%20vs%20robot'%20fight%20ends%20in%20decisive%20outcome)       (17039309.html#thesun-openweb-comments-container)   Comment now   Next        AN influencer was left battered and bruised after taking on a Terminator-like robot in an MMA fight.  The rapid advancements in AI and robotics over the last few years have raised questions about humans’ capabilities against androids. (17039309.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 6 article images.) (A human fighter in protective gear and boxing gloves faces off against a humanoid robot in a ring.)  6     Influencer Frankie Lapenna locked horns with a six-foot robot Credit: INSTAGRAM@REK   (17039309.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 6 article images.) (A person in shorts and a robotic suit boxing a humanoid robot.)  6     The American started well against Rek Robotics ‘Rekbot’ Credit: INSTAGRAM@REK   Advertisement   And American social media sensation Frankie Lapenna recently decided to test himself against a six-foot robot. Lapenna decided to throw down with Rek Robotics’ ‘Rekbot’, which looks like a T-800 from the Hollywood mega-franchise ‘The Terminator’. Sign up for the Sport newsletter   Thank you!    (thesuncom) (d521698f6d)  (/sport/17039309/)  (sport) () Email address      Please provide a valid email.    (Sign up)   Your info will be used in accordance with our (https://newsprivacy.co.uk/) Privacy Policy   You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email.   (1)     The ‘Human vs Terminator’ fight was held in a mixed martial arts cage and watched by scores of onlookers. After seeing the size of the robot, a man standing told Lapenna before the fight said: “I’m scared for you.”  Their concerns initially seemed misplaced as Lapenna landed a good few shots on the bot. But the robot eventually floored Lapenna with a jumping switch kick to the body. Lapenna crumpled to the canvas and was unable to get back to his feet. The clip of the fight ended shortly after the robot was seen shaking out its limbs. Advertisement   Most read in Sport  (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17043541/terry-bradshaw-rob-gronkowski-trey-mcbride/) (An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Five commentators on a sports show desk with a stadium in the background)     ARE YOU SHAW? Fox NFL Sunday fans worried by Terry Bradshaw as he leaves colleagues stunned     (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17037878/nfl-brazil-game-cowboys-ravens-surface-concern/) (WC2014-OLY2016-BRAZIL-MARACANA-STADIUM)     RI-OH NO NFL Brazil game starring Cowboys at risk with major concern over playing surface     (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044526/keely-hodgkinson-style-red-carpet-brit-awards/) ()     KEE TO HER SUCCESS Seven times Keely slayed red carpet including see-through Brits dress     (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15239713/kayla-simmons-bikini-pictures-worlds-sexiest-volleyball-player/) ()     SIMMPLY THE BEST Bikini-clad world's sexiest volleyball star poses in riskiest pics yet        SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS  (17039309.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 6 article images.) (A tall grey robot kicks a person in a boxing match.)  6     The ‘Rekbot’ eventually took control of the fight Credit: INSTAGRAM@REK   (17039309.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 6 article images.) (A person in a robot costume dancing on a stage in front of a crowd.)  6     Lapenna found himself floored by a jumping switch kick from the robot Credit: INSTAGRAM@REK   But according to Rek’s official X account, Lapenna “kept going and defeated” the mechanical menace. Footage of the fight spread like wildfire on social media. Advertisement   One wrote on X: “Screw UFC I wanna see more of this.” Another said: “How did this person find the courage? I would be afraid.” And another said: “Early release of Black Mirror S08E01.” One remarked: “Holy sh…😮😮😮 We’re toast guys 😂.” And another chimed in: “Humans are cooked💀” Advertisement   Another stunned: “That’s terrifying.” RECOMMENDED STORIES        (https://disqus.com/embed/comments/?base=default&f=tmz&t_i=ac0d58b2e54e3c1f374f0810bf211e5d9612514852a5f8165a301a1a2f5eded32da3eb1d76b03fd8ed70b68f6ba7209aee659b9173a84879c8c5f943e066bdab&t_u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tmz.com%2F_%2Fdisqus%2Fac0d58b2e54e3c1f374f0810bf211e5d9612514852a5f8165a301a1a2f5eded32da3eb1d76b03fd8ed70b68f6ba7209aee659b9173a84879c8c5f943e066bdab&t_e=TMZ.com&t_d=TMZ.com&t_t=TMZ.com&s_o=default#)  After the footage went viral, Rek revealed that the robot was actually being controlled by a human. But even so, the fight still gave a frightening look at how automated machines could potentially have their way with humans in years to come. (17039309.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 6 article images.) (A human fighter in a white leotard and black pads is on the ground, pinned by a robot arm, as spectators watch through a transparent barrier.)  6     It appeared to be game over for the brave influencer against the machine Credit: X/REK   (17039309.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 6 article images.) (A silver humanoid robot stands in a boxing pose with an audience in the background.)  6     The robot even taunted its rival – but apparently the human managed to get back up and win the fight Credit: X/REK   Advertisement   (17039309.html#thesun-openweb-comments-container)   Comment now       Topics (https://www.the-sun.com/topic/artificial-intelligence/) Artificial Intelligence   (https://www.the-sun.com/topic/ufc/) UFC            YOU MIGHT LIKE             YOU MIGHT LIKE                                       RECOMMENDED FOR YOU              MORE FOR YOU              MORE FROM THE SUN (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044526/keely-hodgkinson-style-red-carpet-brit-awards/) ()        (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044526/keely-hodgkinson-style-red-carpet-brit-awards/)    KEE TO HER SUCCESS Seven times Keely slayed red carpet including see-through Brits dress  THE Brit runner, 24, has trascended athletics to become a style icon and fashion show staple. And we've picked out some of her finest moments off the track.    (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/) Sport    (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044526/keely-hodgkinson-style-red-carpet-brit-awards#thesun-openweb-comments-container)         (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044526/keely-hodgkinson-style-red-carpet-brit-awards/)   (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044006/taylor-swift-wears-erin-andrews-tank-top-chiefs/) ()        (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044006/taylor-swift-wears-erin-andrews-tank-top-chiefs/)    SWIFT AS LIGHTNING Erin Andrews' clothing line boosted as Swift rocks outfit to Chiefs game  ERIN Andrews can thank Taylor Swift for her clothing line picking up plenty of steam after the pop superstar's appearance at the Kansas City Chiefs game.   (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/) Sport    (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044006/taylor-swift-wears-erin-andrews-tank-top-chiefs#thesun-openweb-comments-container)         (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044006/taylor-swift-wears-erin-andrews-tank-top-chiefs/)   (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044361/ufc-paige-vanzant-bikini-underboob-garden-selfies/) ()        (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044361/ufc-paige-vanzant-bikini-underboob-garden-selfies/)    TURN THE PAIGE UFC legend Paige VanZant bursts out of bikini in 'gorgeous' garden selfies  UFC legend Paige VanZant left her fans with their jaws on the floor as she posted a photo dump of her wearing a tiny bikini.    (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/) Sport    (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044361/ufc-paige-vanzant-bikini-underboob-garden-selfies#thesun-openweb-comments-container)         (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044361/ufc-paige-vanzant-bikini-underboob-garden-selfies/)   (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044058/nfl-rams-turns-mall-village-hq-new-renderings/) ()        (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044058/nfl-rams-turns-mall-village-hq-new-renderings/)    STAN THE MAN Historic Super Bowl-winning NFL franchise turning mall into 52-acre $10bn HQ  A historic Super Bowl-winning NFL franchise is turning a rundown mall into a 52-acre $10 billion village headquarters.    (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/) Sport    (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044058/nfl-rams-turns-mall-village-hq-new-renderings#thesun-openweb-comments-container)         (https://www.the-sun.com/sport/17044058/nfl-rams-turns-mall-village-hq-new-renderings/)            Image gallery      (A human fighter in protective gear and boxing gloves faces off against a humanoid robot in a ring.)   Influencer Frankie Lapenna locked horns with a six-foot robot Credit: INSTAGRAM@REK   (A person in shorts and a robotic suit boxing a humanoid robot.)   The American started well against Rek Robotics 'Rekbot' Credit: INSTAGRAM@REK   (A tall grey robot kicks a person in a boxing match.)   The 'Rekbot' eventually took control of the fight Credit: INSTAGRAM@REK   (A person in a robot costume dancing on a stage in front of a crowd.)   Lapenna found himself floored by a jumping switch kick from the robot Credit: INSTAGRAM@REK   (A human fighter in a white leotard and black pads is on the ground, pinned by a robot arm, as spectators watch through a transparent barrier.)   It appeared to be game over for the brave influencer against the machine Credit: X/REK   (A silver humanoid robot stands in a boxing pose with an audience in the background.)   The robot even taunted its rival - but apparently the human managed to get back up and win the fight Credit: X/REK     You are viewing 1 of 6  images  Previous Image      Next Image                               Follow The Sun (https://www.facebook.com/thesunus/)   (https://twitter.com/thesunus)   (https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5vBGdHwXbD3YFFqG3m)     Services (https://www.the-sun.com/sign-up-to-the-sun/) Sign Up To The Sun  (https://www.the-sun.com/about-us/) About Us  (https://www.the-sun.com/sun-editorial-standards-policies-ethics/) Editorial Standards, Policies and Ethics  (https://www.the-sun.com/editorial-complaints/) Editorial Complaints  (https://www.the-sun.com/clarifications/) Clarifications  (https://www.the-sun.com/syndication/) News Licensing  (http://www.newsukadvertising.co.uk) Advertising  (https://www.the-sun.com/contact-us/) Contact Us  (https://help.thesun.co.uk/) Help Hub  (https://www.the-sun.com/index/) Topic A-Z  (17039309.html#) Cookie Settings  (https://mypreferences.thesun.co.uk/) Contact Preferences  (https://jobs.the-sun.com/?source=footer&utm_source=footer&utm_medium=partner_referral) Sun Jobs  (https://www.the-sun.com/shopping/) Shopping  (https://www.the-sun.com/news/15089900/the-sun-exclusive-content-google-preferred-sources/) Follow The Sun in Google’s Top Stories     © NEWS ENTERPRISES, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | (https://www.the-sun.com/terms-and-conditions/) TERMS OF USE | (https://newsprivacy.co.uk/single/) PRIVACY | (https://newsprivacy.co.uk/single/) YOUR AD CHOICES | (https://www.the-sun.com/sitemap.xml) SITEMAP     (https://www.the-sun.com/wp-includes/js/dist/script-modules/interactivity/index.min.js?ver=55aebb6e0a16726baffb)