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The most destructive robot fights ever: Watch NHRL's wildest battles
Watch NHRL live and for free on DAZN
Robot combat is not exactly known for taking prisoners.
From devastating knockouts to machines being flipped through the air and ripped apart inside the cage, NHRL has produced some spectacular destruction over the years.
The robot fighting league gives builders the chance to put their creations to the ultimate test, with machines going head-to-head in three different weight classes and attempting to knock their opponents out of action.
And with the NHRL Pro Tour returning on September 12, there is no better time to catch up on some of the chaos.
Watch some of NHRL's most destructive robot fights on DAZN.
Watch NHRL's most destructive robot fights
There are plenty of ways to win a robot fight, but few are as satisfying as completely disabling the machine on the other side of the cage.
NHRL fights can last for up to three minutes, with victory possible by knockout, tap out or judges' decision.
But the robots are built to attack. Every machine must feature an active weapon, opening the door to an extraordinary variety of designs capable of inflicting serious punishment.
Spinning weapons can tear into armour, powerful lifters can send opponents flying and some robots even use fire as they attempt to leave the machine opposite them unable to continue.
That has created some unforgettable moments inside the NHRL cage – and some very long nights in the workshop for the builders tasked with putting their robots back together.
Watch NHRL's wildest robot fights on DAZN.
How do NHRL robot fights work?
NHRL competitions feature robots across 3lb, 12lb and 30lb weight classes, allowing everything from small, incredibly quick machines to much heavier and more destructive creations to enter the cage.
Fights last a maximum of three minutes. If a robot is unable to demonstrate movement during the referee's knockout count, the fight is over.
A builder can also tap out to protect their machine from further punishment, while fights that reach the end of the three-minute limit are decided by the judges.
The result is a sport that combines engineering and driving skill with the unpredictability of a combat event.
When is the next NHRL event?
The destruction returns on Saturday, September 12, when NHRL heads to Terminal 5 in New York City for the second stop of the 2026 Pro Tour.
A total of 48 robots will compete across the three weight classes, with 16 machines in each division fighting for a place in the knockout stages.
The Group Stage runs from 10am to 4:30pm local time before Prime Time takes over from 7pm, when the remaining robots battle through the knockout rounds and champions are crowned.
It is the second of three Pro Tour events before the season builds towards the World Championships in December.
