It was a four-wheel drive, box-shaped robot originally fitted with a lifting arm powered by a brushless outrunner motor, though this evolved into a lifter and grappler design for its second season. Despite being durable and able to lift 800lbs according to the team, Deadlift struggled with fine-tuning its design in their debut season, often proving to be sluggish and finishing 1-1 in the main competition.
Deadlift during World Championship V hero shots.
According to RoboGym Robotics, this was largely down to the drive and weapon cutting out on them for a few seconds at a time during battle, due to the VESCs they were using. In response, the team gutted Deadlift of its electronics and introduced new speed controllers.
Despite showing improvements in its two BattleBots: Bounty Hunters appearances, including a statement win over impressive newcomer JackPot, Deadlift was unsuccessful in reaching either Bounty boss.
Deadlift during World Championship VI hero shots.
Deadlift returned for World Championship VI with a brand new weapon system incorporating an optional 'suplex arm' for clamping opponents as it lifts, though much of its internal upgrades are unknown. The team remained the same, with Dan Tisza driving Deadlift for the 2021 season. Deadlift lost its opening fight in a rematch against JackPot, before falling a second time to Icewave.
On 17 October, 2022, RoboGym Robotics confirmed Deadlift's retirement from combat, having auctioned off a number of its components including the 'suplex arm'.[1] The team later debuted Roundhouse in the September Proving Ground shows at BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon, which twice beat rookie Orbitron and fought at BattleBots FaceOffs.
The World Championship VI version of Deadlift in April 2022.
Deadlift's first match was against the returning Bale Spear. This fight was only shown in full as a Basement Tape and in Episode 10/14 of the ITV4 UK broadcast, the latter with interviews and commentary. The battle started with Bale Spear on the offensive, driving over Deadlift as the latter was late to use its lifting weapon. Bale Spear had activated its weapon but struggled to retract it and was showing signs of drive issues. Deadlift itself was also struggling with the two bots making glancing attacks at best during the first half of the fight. Deadlift then managed to hook its lifter under the protection for Bale Spear's right-front tire, settling it down and blasting its opponent with flame. Deadlift again got around to Bale Spear's side and made use of the flamethrower, before moving it to the screws and clamping its opponent against the wall momentarily. Bale Spear was now smoking and was inevitably counted out, leaving Deadlift to take the win by knockout.
Deadlift vs. Mammoth
Deadlift is flipped over by Mammoth.
Emerging victorious, Deadlift faced Ricky Willems and Mammoth in it's second untelevised match. Mammoth was able to flip Deadlift over during the fight, but it was able to self-right. Eventually, Mammoth's weapon chain was knocked out of place from the impact of its swinging bar hitting Deadlift. This then turned into a shoving match where Mammoth got the better of pushing Deadlift around. The fight went the full three minutes and the judges awarded Mammoth the unanimous decision.
Due to aforementioned issues with the robot's speed controllers, Deadlift was not given a third fight in order to give the team a chance to perform the necessary fixes ahead of its post-season fights.
"Unfortunately we were only able to have the two qualifying fights. After production saw the state of our robot in our first two fights, they decided not to proceed with a third fight."
— RoboGym Robotics explain the reason for not getting a third Fight Night battle in a 2021 Reddit AMA[2]
BattleBots: Bounty Hunters[]
Icewave Bracket[]
Deadlift vs. Ghost Raptor
Deadlift's lifter is bent by Ghost Raptor's weapon bar.
Deadlift roasts Ghost Raptor.
In addition to the main season, Deadlift took part in BattleBots: Bounty Hunters for a chance to defeat Icewave. To start, RoboGym Robotics were placed against veteran Chuck Pitzer and Ghost Raptor. Deadlift started well as they took out Ghost Raptor's weapon completely, but this came at the cost of bending their own primary weapon. Deadlift lifted Ghost Raptor up and tried to attack with their flamethrower, but Ghost Raptor escaped. Deadlift continued to dominate and managed to flip Ghost Raptor over but Ghost Raptor quickly righted itself. Deadlift maintained control and got the flames inside Ghost Raptor again before taking them to the screws and nearly flipping them. This time, Ghost Raptor had a bit of a struggle righting itself so Deadlift brought it to the pulverizer, not realizing that it was operated by Team Raptor. Deadlift moved Ghost Raptor to another pulverizer, but then ground to a halt. The team revealed post-match that they had totally lost signal to the robot, and Deadlift was counted out as a result. This gave Ghost Raptor the win by KO, and eliminated Deadlift from the bracket.
Tombstone Bracket[]
Deadlift vs. JackPot
Deadlift roasts JackPot.
Deadlift also took part in the TombstoneBounty Hunters bracket, and their first opponent was JackPot, who had gone undefeated in the main season. As the match began, both bots immediately charged at each other with Deadlift winning the battle for low ground. It continued to attack, shoving JackPot into the casing for the screws, disabling their opponent's weapon. This left JackPot vulnerable as Deadlift blasted it with flames and flipped it over in such a way that JackPot's self-righting mechanism was unable to right it. As such, JackPot was counted out and Deadlift won by knockout.
Deadlift vs. Gruff
Deadlift pins Gruff against the rails.
Gruff backs away from the now immobile Deadlift.
After a dominant performance against the impressive JackPot, Deadlift advanced to face Sam McAmis and Gruff. The match began in favor of Deadlift, winning the battle for low ground and getting under Gruff. Deadlift then used its lifter to clamp down on Gruff, cornering it against the rails before pinning it on its side against the rails. Gruff countered by using it's lifter to break free, but Deadlift continued to remain aggressive, getting to the flanks of Gruff and almost flipping it over twice. Deadlift then charged at Gruff, activating its flamethrower, but it became apparent that Deadlift has it's lifter stuck in an upright position. This was caused by the weight of Gruff causing the brushless outrunner motor powering the lifter to make contact with the aluminum casing protecting it, jamming the lifter in place.[3] Deadlift was then lifted up by Gruff, who pushed it against the rails. Unable to move, Deadlift was counted out and Gruff advanced in the bracket.
World Championship VI[]
Deadlift vs. JackPot
Deadlift shows aggression early on.
Deadlift is held up by Ace, JackPot's minibot.
Damage to the rear of Deadlift is revealed.
Deadlift is immobile under the pulverizer.
Deadlift's first battle of the 2021 season was a rematch against JackPot, who they became the first robot to defeat in their BattleBots: Bounty Hunters bracket last season. This fight became the first YouTube exclusive battle of the season, released exclusively to Facebook Supporters on January 6 2022 before being made public on January 9 2022. Deadlift went into this fight without its grappling arm, likely fearing JackPot could damage it for later in the competition. As the fight began, both bots charged forwards with JackPot veering slightly towards the new BattleBox hazard to offer time to spin up its primary weapon. Deadlift was able to evade its early attempts to hit and threatened with its flamethrower, but oversteered and took a shot from JackPot's Die-mond disks. As Deadlift recovered, JackPot began steering erratically and was shunted from the side, nearly lifted in the process. Unable to drive properly due to the chain for the front-left wheel becoming locked up by debris, JackPot's right wedgelets were stuck upwards and Deadlift saw a chance to slide underneath and attack with its flamethrower. Deadlift then got to the rear end of JackPot and shoved it weapon-first into the arena barrier between two sets of screws. JackPot's minibot Ace was able to get into the action after being shoved into the Upper Deck by Deadlift. After gyroing backwards several yards, the main bot had broken the affected chain and was able to drive without issue. As Ace hooked its forks beneath Deadlift, JackPot lined up an attack with its die-mond disks, stripping armor away. From here, JackPot was able to consistently win the ground game and make meaningful contact with its primary weapon as more pieces came away from Deadlift. RoboGym Robotics' bot was experiencing drive issues of its own, heading for the screws before becoming stuck in a killsaw slot. Deadlift escaped but not without suffering more hits from JackPot, who pushed it into the barrier. It was no longer moving, but there was not enough time left for an official count-out. The fight went the distance, but the judges ruled unanimously in favor of JackPot.
Deadlift vs. Icewave
Icewave's knockout shot on Deadlift.
Looking for redemption, Deadlift's second opponent was Marc DeVidts and Icewave, who were on a winless run dating back to 2018. RoboGym Robotics opted for their clamping arm this time around. From the first few seconds, Deadlift looked to charge down Icewave, but Marc DeVidts evaded its opponent and found space to spin up. Deadlift tried to deter Icewave with its flamethrower but took a hit to their front. Icewave attacked again and pieces of Deadlift flew away. Although its weaponry was functional, its drive was not, so Deadlift was counted out, putting it to 0-2.
It was later revealed that the battery connectors for Deadlift's drive were loosening up coming into the fight, and the very last hit Icewave dished out popped them 2mm apart, disconnecting the batteries and therefore incapacitating the robot.
Deadlift vs. Pain Train (Exhibition)
Deadlift drives Pain Train into the wall.
Deadlift lands a suplex on Pain Train.
Deadlift and Pain Train spin together.
Deadlift fought in an exhibition match against Pain Train, released by BattleBots as part of Vengeance in Vegas. Deadlift began by charging directly at Pain Train, using its flamethrower to deter it. Pain Train's drum was up to speed, but lacked the reach to do anything other than graze the front of Deadlift in the opening moments. Sparks flew from the clamping fist of Deadlift as it drove Pain Train into the barrier. Evan Arias' bot retaliated by landing a shot on the edge on Deadlift, popping it into the air and curling up part of the front wedge. Despite this, Deadlift was able to get underneath again and shoved Pain Train into the screws, eventually picking it up and delivering a suplex. However, Pain Train remained stuck on Deadlift's arm, overbalancing it slightly. In trying to free Pain Train, Deadlift began spinning in circles while shooting fire in its opponent's direction, and then drove Pain Train into the corner. Pain Train was now free again, but its drum was spinning down and Deadlift picked its opponent up again, dropping it immediately. Deadlift managed to do this more convincingly the second time, throwing Pain Train over again before pinning it in the blue square in an impressive display of control. Pain Train drove away but quickly found itself at the mercy of Deadlift, who drove it on top of the screws in front of the judges. Initially high-centered, the screws eventually reversed to free Pain Train, who was picked up and suplexed for a third time in the fight. In the closing seconds, Deadlift picked Pain Train up one final time and unanimously won the resulting judges' decision.
BattleBots: Champions I[]
Deadlift vs. Blacksmith
Blacksmith pins Deadlift.
Deadlift is held against the screws.
Blacksmith retreats as Deadlift struggles to move.
Deadlift came back for BattleBots: Champions I, facing Al Kindle and Blacksmith in the first round of its bracket, again sporting its clamping arm. Blacksmith immediately spun up its disk and prepared its flamethrower, while Deadlift tried to get a grip on its arm. Deadlift was pinned by Blacksmith against the wall in front of the drivers' booths, then Al Kindle fired the hammer saw down on the left side of Deadlift. As Blacksmith looked to prepare another attack, Deadlift activated its own flamethrower in an attempt to warn its veteran opponent. Blacksmith landed another shot on Deadlift before getting in underneath and driving it into one of the paddles. One half of Deadlift's drive was now down, as it arced in place trying to escape the red square. Blacksmith continued to attack, pinning Deadlift against the screws and delivering further punishment as it looked to finish the job. Referee John Remar disclosed that he could not begin a count unless Blacksmith refused to engage any further, and Deadlift consented to remaining in the fight. However, it was largely at Al Kindle's mercy as Blacksmith drove Deadlift back to the center of the BattleBox and then into the short corner. Deadlift continued to show limited movement, but survived until the end of the fight. Blacksmith lost a weapon belt in the closing seconds but in spite of this, took the win by unanimous decision. As such, Deadlift was out of the bracket.
Though unconfirmed, Faruq Tauheed's introduction for Deadlift ahead of its fight against Mammoth likely refers to the 500kg deadlift world record set by UK strongman Eddie Hall in July 2016.
However, this record has since been beaten as Icelandic strongman and actor Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson deadlifted 501kg in May 2020.
Deadlift's 2020 season lifting arm was sold to YouTube content creator and BattleBots fan Pory Nog.
