This was not an AI robot deciding on its own when to punch or kick.

A human pilot was remotely controlling the robot.

REK normally stages fights between humanoid robots controlled by human pilots using VR or gamepad controls. The robots use AI to help with things such as balance, but the fighting decisions come from the person controlling them.

So technically, LaPenna was fighting another human. The difference was that the other person had a six foot robot doing the fighting for them.

There is also some confusion over who actually won.

REK later said LaPenna kept fighting and eventually defeated the robot. However, other reports say the fight was stopped after LaPenna was knocked down, and the complete footage needed to establish exactly how the contest ended has not been released publicly.

What we can say is that watching a six foot humanoid robot kick a human across a cage makes those old Terminator films suddenly feel a little less like science fiction. And it's scary too.