China Stages First-ever Humanoid Robot Kickboxing Match

China hosted the world’s first humanoid robot kickboxing tournament, signaling a new era in robotic innovation. Held on May 25 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, the event put the spotlight on Unitree Robotics’ G1 humanoid fighters.

Broadcast by China Central Television (CCTV), the inaugural CMG World Robot Competition – Mecha Fighting Series featured four Unitree G1 robots and their human trainers. These mechanical combatants, each standing at 132 cm tall and weighing 35 kg, took center stage in what organizers described as a groundbreaking showcase of artificial intelligence and engineering.

The competition was divided into two main segments: a movement demonstration followed by a three-round combat session, each lasting two minutes. Points were awarded for specific strikes; a punch to the body or head earned one point, while a successful kick scored three. Robots were penalized for losing balance, with five points deducted for falling and a 10-point penalty if they couldn’t recover within eight seconds.

Footage from the bout showed robots executing smooth, though relatively soft, strikes — often more akin to nudges than real punches. Controlled via joysticks, the fighters occasionally stumbled after performing kicks or stepping backward, but many managed to recover with commendable agility.

Unitree director Wang Qixin emphasized the complexity of the training process: “It is not easy to teach robots different movements,” he told CCTV.

He elaborated on the process, stating: “First, we captured the data of the movements of some professional kick-boxing athletes, and then the robots can learn these movements in the virtual world.”

The showcase impressed experts like Li Gaofeng from Zhejiang University, who noted the rapid advancements in the field: “Six months ago, people could not imagine that humanoid robots would be able to perform all these movements smoothly.”

He acknowledged the immense technical demands of robot combat, citing the challenges in coordination, responsiveness, and hardware optimization: “Combat fight is a difficult task… All these requirements significantly challenge the robots’ algorithms, electronic parts, and speed reducers.”

Speed reducers, crucial components connecting motors to machinery, enable smoother and more precise robotic movement, a key to translating AI commands into agile action.

Industry leaders saw the match as more than just a spectacle. The Global Times highlighted its potential in developing talent and accelerating innovation across robotics, especially in perception, control, and real-world execution. Tian Feng, formerly of SenseTime, added: “Combat sports demand full-body coordination, upper limb capabilities, battery endurance, and material durability.”

The tournament is just the beginning. Shenzhen-based robotics firm EngineAI plans a full-scale humanoid robot combat event this December, aimed at displaying the latest in robotics and AI integration.

This leap in robot agility and autonomy wasn’t sudden. Just months ago, Unitree’s H1 robots danced alongside humans during the 2025 CCTV Spring Festival Gala. By March, the G1 units were performing complex athletic moves like side-flips and kick-ups.

Public opinion in China has been divided. Some tech commentators claim Unitree has outpaced Boston Dynamics, whose Atlas robot is limited to cartwheels. Others argue that while Unitree’s robots are impressive, Boston Dynamics still leads in refined precision and consistent movement.

Adding a layer of intrigue, earlier this year, a viral video showed a Unitree H1 robot flailing unexpectedly during a factory test, prompting safety discussions, especially as domestic deployment of humanoid robots inches closer.

Unitree has since cautioned users against dangerous modifications or unsafe use of its machines. As one columnist at Mydrivers.com remarked: “G1’s reaction was slower than humans and its attacks were not precise.”