Bi Nguyen will make history later this year when she becomes the first professional MMA fighter to appear on the “Survivor” reality series.

Nguyen (4-2), an atomweight who trains out of Jackson-Wink MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., will be part of the Season 37 cast the show – dubbed “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” this season – which debuts Sept. 26 on CBS. After turning down an offer to appear on a dating show, Nguyen got the “Survivor” invite and the change to go after the $1 million prize.

Not familiar with “Survivor” or its format? Here’s how Wikipedia describes it:

“The television show places a group of strangers in an isolated location, where they must provide food, fire, and shelter for themselves. The contestants compete in challenges for rewards and immunity from elimination. The contestants are progressively eliminated from the game as they are voted out by their fellow contestants, until only one remains and is given the title of ‘Sole Survivor’ and is awarded the grand prize of $1 million.”

Although she hasn’t followed the show closely during its more than 18-year run, Nguyen said the timing was right to join the cast. She suffered a personal loss as producers invited her on the show, and she knew she had to take advantage.

“The day that they called me to tell me that I was going to be on the show, my dad was passing away,” Nguyen told MMAjunkie. “I got the call, and my sister was like, ‘Dad just passed two minutes ago.’ Then on the other line it was the casting director like (saying), ‘This is the greatest opportunity of your life. You can’t pass on it.’ I had mixed emotions. I was sad. I was happy. It was hard to process. … But thinking about my dad, it was like, ‘Dad would say, ‘Yes.” So it just fell in my lap. It was really, really meant to be.”

Nguyen said her father had been battling liver cancer for some time prior to his passing. She admits it was a difficult time in her life, so when “Survivor” came along, she not only saw a chance for a life-changing money, but also to grow as a person after losing a seminal figure in her life.

“I went on the show because everything that was happening with Dad passing,” Nguyen said. “I was really confused. I was really kind of lost in my feelings. I just wanted to go on this experience to find something new about myself. To strip everything down. I felt like it was perfect challenge to be on an island with strangers and just see a new me come out. I wrote myself a letter before the show, and I wrote myself a letter after the show, and it was night and day. It was once in a lifetime. I really went on the show for that.”

Aside from the emotional aspect, Nguyen felt she perfectly suited for “Survivor” from the physical side, as well. The show is heavily dependent on having a strong social game; forming personal relationships and alliances with other players is a primary key to advancing through the show. Being capable in the physical challenges is crucial, too, but Nguyen knew she’d thrive in that area.

Nguyen said she felt prepared for any physical challenge that might come her way during the competition, but she also knew putting herself out there as an MMA fighter could come with potential downfalls, as well.

“We cut weight, so the not eating thing and performing with low calorie intake, I knew I would be good at,” Nguyen said. “I felt like, ‘I’m so excited. I’m an athlete.’ Physical challenges excite me, and to me it was like a kid on a playground. All those challenges seemed so amazing. I was excited for that. But I was also scared and wondering before the show, ‘I can’t be too good at these things, or can I?’ You’ll have to watch the show to see how it plays out.”

How Nguyen fairs on the show will be revealed once the season begins to air. The 28-year-old has resumed her fight career since filming wrapped earlier this year, and managed to secure a major opportunity right away.

Nguyen fights Jayme Hinshaw (3-3) for the King of the Cage atomweight title in the main event of Saturday’s “KOTC: Perennial” card, which takes place at Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio, Colo.

For Nguyen, claiming the title would be a promising step forward in her young career. She aspires to greatness and hopes the UFC will eventually open a 105-pound division. Her focus now is on her upcoming KOTC fight, but Nguyen is already thinking about big opportunities that could be on the horizon, and that includes unbeaten ONE Championship queen Angela Lee (9-0).

“I’m doing everything I can to prove to the UFC we deserve to be in the spotlight,” Nguyen said. “They pulled in (female 145-pounders) with just a couple of fighters. All the respect to (Cris Cyborg), but we have over 100 active fighters (at atomweight).

“If that doesn’t happen, I’m happy with King of the Cage. They’re giving us a spotlight. But I’m also interested in fighting Angela Lee. (I’d) go over to ONE and test my skills. I believe she’s the best atomweight in the world right now.”

For more on the upcoming MMA schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.