Rolando Samson
Rolando Samson is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under André Galvão, Rolando has also earned a reputation as one of the top athletes of his generation while competing in the lower ranks of this sport/martial art, winning important championships like the World Championship, the World No-Gi Championship, and the American Nationals of the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). Additionally, Samson is recognized for his hard work ethic.
Rolando Samson is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under André Galvão, Rolando has also earned a reputation as one of the top athletes of his generation while competing in the lower ranks of this sport/martial art, winning important championships like the World Championship, the World No-Gi Championship, and the American Nationals of the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). Additionally, Samson is recognized for his hard work ethic.
Rolando Samson was born on September 13, 1994 in San Diego, California – United States of America.
Rolando became interested in martial arts as a child, influenced by cartoons like Dragon Ball Z. After watching classes at the after-school karate program in his neighborhood, Samson's curiosity increased.
At the age of nine, Samson showed a keen interest in martial arts and was guided by his father to a Brazilian jiu jitsu school. Rolando’s dad was a mixed martial arts (MMA) fan and had a decent understanding of grappling and it’s value in hand-to-hand combat, opting to register his son to Alex Brandão’s academy – a gym under the lineage of Master Fábio Santos.
His first IBJJF World Championship came while competing for Brando, where he was a child and juvenile belter. He began to ponder switching to a gym that emphasized competition over his jiu jitsu career as a blue belt. This thought was doubled down on after a conversation with fellow competitor Michael Liera Junior – who advised Rolando to try a class at Atos HQ in San Diego.
Already a big fan of André Galvão‘s game, Rolando decided to take the challenge and visit this famed grappling stable. Once there, and given that Samson was already a relatively well known blue belt competitor, he was put through ‘the ringer’. In an interview given to BJJ Heroes in 2017 Rolando remembered that first experience at Atos HQ: “I tried to keep up and I was completely exhausted. I learned so much in that one night and I was already looking forward to the next class right after the class finished. That was how I knew Atos was where I wanted to be“.
While training and competing regularly, Rolando Samson’s focus never strayed from his academic studies having attended a junior college for 3 years before being transferred to San Diego State University to further his education – all this while also working part-time.
On June 2017, after another fantastic competitive year where he achieved a silver medal at the Worlds (while training only 2 times per week), Samson was promoted to black belt by André Galvão.
Today you can find Rolando teaching our fundamentals classes with a lot of enthusiasm helping every single student to achieve their goals on and off the mats!
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6am Drilling Class - Long Step Pass
6X IBJJF World Champion Atos HQ Head Black Belt Andre Galvao teaches Long Step Pass, during the fundamental class on 02/12/2025.
Andre Galvao is one of the greatest BJJ athletes of all time, with 6 IBJJF World Championship titles, 10 IBJJF Pan American Championships, and 6 ADCC World Championsh...
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Basic Shin Slice Pass
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Shin Slice Pass, during the fundamental class on 02/12/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his co...
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Basic Passing Concepts
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Passing Concepts, during the fundamental class on 02/11/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his c...
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Basic Leg Drag Drills | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Leg Drag Drills, during the fundamental class on 02/10/2025.
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/basic-leg-drag-drills-part-1
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, a...
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Basic Leg Drag Drills | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Leg Drag Drills, during the fundamental class on 02/10/2025.
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/basic-leg-drag-drills-part-2
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, a...
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Swing Single with Side Smash Finish | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Swing Single with Side Smash Finish, during the fundamental class on 02/07/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all...
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Swing Single with Side Smash Finish | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Swing Single with Side Smash Finish, during the fundamental class on 02/07/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all...
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Shotgun Pass
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Shotgun Pass, during the fundamental class on 02/06/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his colored bel...
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Trouble Shooting Passing Knee Shield
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Trouble Shooting Passing Knee Shield, during the fundamental class on 02/05/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (al...
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Headquarters to Long Step | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Headquarters to Long Step, during the fundamental class on 02/04/2025.
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/headquarters-to-long-step-part-1
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Cha...
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Headquarters to Long Step | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Headquarters to Long Step, during the fundamental class on 02/04/2025.
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/headquarters-to-long-step-part-2
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Cha...
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Intro to Passing Headquarters | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Intro to Passing Headquarters, during the fundamental class on 02/03/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all durin...
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Intro to Passing Headquarters | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Intro to Passing Headquarters, during the fundamental class on 02/03/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all durin...
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Long Step Solo Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Long Step Solo Drill, during the fundamental class on 01/31/2025.
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/passing-shin-on-shin-with-long-step-part-1
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/passing-shin-on-shin-with-long-step-part-2Rolan...
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Passing Shin on Shin With Long Step | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing Shin on Shin With Long Step, during the fundamental class on 01/31/2025.
Drill- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/long-step-solo-drill
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/passing-shin-on-shin-with-long-step-part-1Rolando Samso...
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Passing Shin on Shin With Long Step | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing Shin on Shin With Long Step, during the fundamental class on 01/31/2025.
Drill- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/long-step-solo-drill
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/passing-shin-on-shin-with-long-step-part-2Rolando Samso...
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Shin on Shin Pass | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Shin on Shin Pass, during the fundamental class on 01/29/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his colore...
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Passing Shin on Shin
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing Shin on Shin, during the fundamental class on 01/29/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his col...
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Countering Shin on Shin
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Countering Shin on Shin, during the fundamental class on 01/28/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his ...
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Sit Up to K Guard Details
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Sit Up to K Guard Details, during the fundamental class on 01/27/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during hi...
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Sit Up Guard to K Guard Review
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Sit Up to K Guard Review, during the fundamental class on 01/27/205.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his ...
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Sit Up Guard to K Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Sit Up Guard to K Guard, during the fundamental class on 01/24/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his ...
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Through Sweep From Sit Up Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Through Sweep From Sit Up Guard, during the fundamental class on 01/23/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all dur...
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Countering Headquarter From Sit Up Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Countering Headquarter From Sit Up Guard, during the fundamental class on 01/22/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion...