--- title: "Wild Video Shows Robots Fighting in Kickboxing Match" description: "Two humanoid robots entered the ring to trade punches and kicks at an event in Hangzhou, China, over the weekend." date: "2025-05-27" modified: "2025-05-27" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/video-robots-fighting-kickboxing-match" categories: - "Robotics" - "Robots and Machines" tags: - "china" - "Humanoid Robots" - "the digest" - "unitree" --- # Wild Video Shows Robots Fighting in Kickboxing Match ![Two humanoid robots entered the ring to trade punches and kicks at an event in Hangzhou, China, over the weekend.]() *\Image: CCTV via YouTube\* ## Mortal Robots Two humanoid robots entered the ring to trade punches and kicks at an event in Hangzhou, China, over the weekend. Footage shows the two skinny bipedal units jabbing, kneeing, and swiping at each other, leading to plenty of stumbling and a faceplant. However, the fallen competitor got back on its feet in seconds, extending the scuffle for a nail-biting finale. However, the robots weren't acting autonomously just yet, as they were being remotely controlled by human operator teams. The skirmish was part of the China Media Group World Robot Competition, as the [*BBC* reports](), featuring robots built by Chinese firm Unitree Robotics. It's a surprisingly entertaining new take on a sport, offering us a glimpse of what a future of sporting events featuring highly dexterous androids could one day look like — almost like an agility-oriented riff on the 2011 robot boxing epic "Real Steel." Per [state-run Chinese tabloid *The Global Times*](), the competition "marks a historic moment as it is the world's first combat sports event centered around humanoid robots, signaling the gradual integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into combat sports." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWq8RebJeOc ## Ray Botinson According to [Chinese state-owned news broadcaster *CGTN*](), a humanoid robot dubbed "AI Strategist" won over "Silk Artisan" after dealing a "decisive knee blow, knocking down the opponent and securing victory." During a second round, "Armored Mulan" was KO'd by "Energy Guardian" and accidentally stumbled during a third round, rounding out its disappointing performance. The bout, and similar demos, show that Unitree has made immense progress in giving its humanoid robots a striking degree of dexterity. In a [video]() that went viral in February, a G1 humanoid robot can be seen [pulling some gnarly kung fu moves](). The company, among other Chinese competitors, is already mass-producing both bipedal and quadrupedal robots for [relatively low prices](), especially compared to the likes of Boston Dynamics' Spot Mini. **More on humanoid robots:** *[Humanoid Robots Are Starting to Work Human Warehouse Jobs]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()