China Makes History with First-Ever Humanoid Robot Combat Tournament

In a historic move that blends science fiction with real-world innovation, China hosted the world’s first humanoid robot kickboxing competition in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. This groundbreaking event was part of the China Media Group (CMG) World Robot Competition – Mecha Fighting Series, and it marked a striking advancement in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Four Unitree G1 humanoid robots squared off in a ring, executing punches, spin kicks, feints, and even acrobatic kip-ups — all while controlled remotely by human teams. These 1.32-meter-tall, 35-kilogram machines wore standard kickboxing gloves and headgear, following combat rules similar to those in human sports.

Each match lasted three rounds of two minutes, with scoring based on successful strikes to the opponent’s head or torso. A knockout was called if a robot remained down for over eight seconds.

"The robots fight in a human-machine collaborative way," said Chen Xiyun from Unitree Robotics, one of the key players in China's robotics sector. 

According to Chen, Unitree’s flagship G1 robot is equipped with advanced computing capabilities and motion control systems, allowing it to perform complex, real-time combat maneuvers with remarkable fluidity.

The competition wasn't merely a showcase of brute force. Operators remotely adjusted tactics on the fly, demonstrating how artificial intelligence can support fast-paced decision-making under pressure.

World's first humanoid robot kickboxing match held in China

 "Controllers activate the algorithms through a series of commands," explained Liu Tai, deputy chief engineer at China Telecommunication Technology Labs. "The machine’s operation, including keeping balance and making movements, is powered by a set of algorithms."

The final match, won by a robot controlled by Chinese tech influencer Lu Xin, highlighted the growing mainstream appeal of robotic sports. “Unitree has a strong entrepreneurial vibe,” Lu commented on Weibo, applauding the company's innovation.

This competition is only one part of a larger national strategy. “The contest is expected to drive innovation in perception, control, and execution technology,” noted Tian Feng, former dean at SenseTime’s Intelligence Industry Research Institute. He added that robot combat sports create a "train-through-competition" pipeline to nurture talent in the AI and robotics fields.

The event in Hangzhou also helped Unitree regain momentum after a stumble in April’s humanoid half-marathon in Beijing, where one of its robots fell. The G1 robots’ performance was seen as a redemption and a symbol of China's expanding role in the global robotics race.

Chinese robotics companies are not stopping here. A full-size humanoid robot boxing tournament is scheduled for December 2025 in Shenzhen, organized by EngineAI. 

“The goal is to showcase cutting-edge breakthroughs in AI and robotics through highly competitive and visually exciting battles,” said the company. Other upcoming events include a multi-sport humanoid robot competition in Beijing this August.

Despite the absence of competing firms like AgiBot, Galbot, and Booster Robotics in this tournament, China is already dominating the global humanoid robotics scene. According to Morgan Stanley, 56% of the 100 publicly traded companies involved in humanoid robotics development are based in China.

With the domestic humanoid robot market projected to hit 870 billion yuan ( $120 billion) by 2030, the implications extend far beyond entertainment. As Chen noted, Unitree G1 was designed to operate in environments that are "challenging for humans," offering potential applications in industry, healthcare, and disaster response.