Frank Merenda has become a well-known figure in the mixed martial arts game recently for his controversial support of Jason Miller, and press releases, among other things. The Venator FC president is promoting his next event later this month and, whether he's doing the right thing or not, he's brought lots of attention to the Italy-based promotion.

No one has ignored what Merenda has said, either, including Venator FC fighters. They aren't oblivious to the situation. Venator FC middleweight Marvin Vettori, who competes on the main card of Venator FC 3, doesn't necessarily agree with Merenda's actions, but can't argue with the promoter, either.

"Oh man, yes. I've known the guy since day one because I've worked there for the first show. The guy is, I don't know how to find the right words (laughs)," he told BloodyElbow.com's The MMA Circus. "That's the way he does business. He doesn't really care about other things; he just does whatever he wants. He has money to invest, and he invests how he wants to. So, he just thought that's the right way to get attention, and he probably was right. He got everybody's attention. In a good way or a bad way, I don't think he really cares; he just wants to get bigger. And I'm not the promoter, I'm not his marketing guy. His business talks for itself, and he's good at what he does. So that's the way he's doing it. I heard that the building where the show is going to be is packed so I think they did the right move.

"I'm not really here to say if he's right or not," he said. "I'm happy the organization in a way or another is getting attention. I'm on the main card, I'm happy about that. I hope many people watch it worldwide and that's it. I don't want to get involved in this promoting stuff because I don't really have a clue on it. If you fill up the building, then you're doing the right move."

Venator FC 3 features notable fighters including Rousimar Palhares, Mayhem Miller, Luke Barnatt and Matt Hamill. Vettori, the former Venator FC welterweight champion who's moving up to middleweight for the first time, is thrilled that Venator FC is drawing lots of attention.

"I'm very excited to be a part of a show where all these big names are on," he said. "Just happy to be a part of it and be there from day on. And I'm still the last welterweight champion, so being the champion of the organization. I'm there since day one. It's nice to be in an organization that was local but became very famous."

Vettori takes on UFC veteran Igor Araujo on the main card of Venator FC 3, which goes down from Milan, Italy on May 21. Vettori's goal is to pick up a stoppage win earning himself a UFC fight, but if the UFC doesn't come calling, he's fine with fighting for Venator FC's middleweight strap against the winner of Miller vs. Barnatt.

"I mean, I think so," he said. "They're treating me good, and they stepped up the level of the Italian show. I'm going to fight for the belt. If the UFC [doesn't sign me], I think that's the next move. ... I mean, that's how it works. I'm still undefeated in that show, I was the welterweight champ. Now I move up a division, and at middleweight, I don't see why not."

Venator FC 3 takes place live from Milan, Italy on May 21.

You can listen to the full interview with Marvin Vettori on Episode 57 of The MMA Circus on BloodyElbow.com later this week.