Unitree humanoids debut at UFC event, Dana White serves as ‘referee’

UFC returns to China for the first time since 2020

By Tim Culverhouse    September 2, 2025         

Unitree humanoids debut at UFC event, Dana White serves as ‘referee’

Unitree via YouTube

UFC CEO Dana White refereed an MMA-style exhibition between Unitree H1 humanoids ahead of UFC Fight Night 257 in Shanghai.

Email Sign Up

Get news, papers, media and research delivered. Sign up for our free newsletters.

Stay up-to-date with news and resources you need to do your job. Research industry trends, compare companies and get weekly market intelligence with Robotics 24/7.

Robotics 24/7 newsletter
Unitree humanoids debut at UFC event, Dana White serves as ‘referee’

Unitree via YouTube

UFC CEO Dana White refereed an MMA-style exhibition between Unitree H1 humanoids ahead of UFC Fight Night 257 in Shanghai.

Ahead of the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in China since 2020, Unitree G1 humanoids trained with UFC athletes and participated in a combat exhibition, refereed by UFC CEO Dana White.

The “fight” took place ahead of UFC Fight Night 257, held August 23 at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, China.

Technology, martial arts fusion

Unitree’s humanoid lineup has made a recent athletics splash.

In May 2025, the Unitree G1 competed in the CMG World Robot Tournament, the first humanoid boxing tournament.

And in August 2025, the Unitree H1 earned multiple gold medals during the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, also held in China.

As part of the UFC event, Unitree also set up a high-tech exhibition booth outside the arena, offering fans a close-up look at the cutting-edge robots that had captured the spotlight. White also met Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing during the event.

Dana White referees Unitree humanoid MMA fight

Ahead of UFC Fight Night 257 in Shanghai, China, UFC CEO Dana White met Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing and refereed an exhibition match between Unitree H1 humanoids.

About the Author
Tim Culverhouse, Editorial Director

Tim Culverhouse

Editorial Director

Tim is the Editorial Director of Robotics247.com. His mission is to provide valuable information and insights to robotics professionals and decision-makers, and to help them solve business challenges. He is a creative, deadline-driven, and detail-oriented storyteller. In addition, he is a sports broadcaster and public address announcer.

More about Tim Culverhouse

Latest in Motion Control

Latest in Artificial Intelligence

Article Topics

Artificial Intelligence   Machine Vision   Machine Learning   Software   Robot Operating System   News   Media   Video   Humanoid   Motion Control   Unitree  

All topics

Editors' Picks

The future of CFD is connected, automated, and AI-enabled
The future of CFD is connected, automated, and AI-enabled

From geometry preparation to AI-assisted analysis, integrated CFD workflows…

Festo gets a grip on AI-based picking
Festo gets a grip on AI-based picking

Software-based GripperAI manages mixed picking through basic geometry

How Beckhoff Automation’s EtherCAT and controllers power Dexterity’s Mech ‘superhumanoid’ robot
How Beckhoff Automation’s EtherCAT and controllers power Dexterity’s Mech ‘superhumanoid’ robot

Safety, communication and motion control components enable smooth operation

Automate 2026: Forklifts, physical AI, vision systems and more from day three in Chicago
Automate 2026: Forklifts, physical AI, vision systems and more from day three in Chicago

North America’s largest robotics and automation event winds down