Organisers of the controversial Cage Wars say they will return to Scotland after their first event in the country on Saturday.

More than 4000 people attended the event, where bouts - a cross between boxing, wrestling and martial arts - are held in large octagonal cages.

There has been widespread criticism of the contests, in which competitors can punch, kick, wrestle, knee and elbow their opponents until submission, with brutal force not uncommon - only head butting, eye gouging and fish-hooking are not permitted.

A licence was granted to Cage Wars organisers to host the event in Braehead Arena, near Glasgow, by Renfrewshire Council, who said the event met the "public entertainment" criterion.

The decision was met with dismay by Glasgow list MSP Sandra White who last month said: "This is going back to the days of gladiators. I don't find it acceptable in this day and age and certainly don't see it as entertainment."

The violence of the fights was also condemned by police and religious leaders.

However, Jonny Burrows, Cage Wars event producer, defended the contests.

Before the event he said: "The guys who take part in this work very, very hard. They train as professional athletes. This is not some kind of street brawl."

Tickets cost up to £45, and children were admitted in the company of adults.

The sport has been growing in popularity and in America supports an industry with a turnover of $5bn (£2.5bn). Top competitors may be paid $1m (£500,000) per fight.

Promoters claim the sport has an audience of 300 million viewers in 130 countries and has a better safety record than boxing and rugby.