Rolando Samson

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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Rolando Samson
  • Passing Lasso Guard With Knee Cut

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Pass Lasso Guard With Knee Cut, during the fundamental class on 05/31/2023.

    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 (a...

  • Passing Lasso Guard

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Lasso Guard Pass, during the fundamental class on 05/30/2023.

    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...

  • Omoplata Escape Review

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Omoplata Escape Review, during the fundamental class on 05/25/2023.

    ✅ PART 1: 00:00 - 04:06
    ✅ PART 2: 04:07 - 10:10

    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 ...

  • Student Q&A

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson answer some student's questions during the fundamental class on 05/24/2023.

    ✅ 00:00 - 07:51 - De la Riva Guard Pass
    ✅ 07:52 - 14:40 - X Guard
    ✅ 14:41 - 17:41 - Crab Ride
    ✅ 17:42 - 21:57 - Deep Half Guard Defense
    ✅ 21:58 - 29:01 - Side Smash Head Positioning
    ✅ 29...

  • Closed Guard Pull

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Closed Guard Pull, during the advanced class on 05/19/2023.

    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 b...

  • Tractor Sweep

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Tractor Sweep, during the fundamental class on 05/18/2023.

    ✅ PART 1: 00:00 - 02:45 warm up
    ✅ PART 2: 02:46 - 08:58 technique

    Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champ...

  • Single Leg X Sweep

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Single Leg X Sweep, during the fundamental class on 05/17/2023.

    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 color...

  • Q&A By Professors Jonnatas Gracie & Rolando Samson

    Friday night Q&A with Professors Jonnatas Gracie and Rolando Samson.

    May 12, 6:15 pm.

  • Long Step from Head Quarters

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Long Step from Head Quarters, during the advanced class on 05/08/2023.

    ✅ PART 1: 0:00 - 04:13
    ✅ PART 2: 04:14 - 14:20

    Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, an...

  • Passing Single Leg X with Knee Cut Review

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing Single X with Knee Cut Review, during the fundamental class on 05/02/2023.

    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 (a...

  • Passing Single Leg X With Knee Cut

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Pass Single Leg X With Knee Cut, during the fundamental class on 05/01/2023.

    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 (...

  • Basic Single Leg X Pass

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Single Leg X Pass, during the fundamental class on 05/01/2023.

    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 ...

  • X guard Sweep & Submission

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches X guard Sweep & Submission, during the fundamental class on 04/25/2023.

    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 h...

  • De la Riva Sweep

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches De la Riva Sweep, during the fundamental class on 04/24/2023.

    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...

  • 2 Entries From X Guard

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches 2 Entries From X Guard, during the fundamental class on 04/17/2023.

    ✅ PART 1: 00:00 - 03:09
    ✅ PART 2: 03:10 - 08:46
    ✅ PART 3: 08:47 - 16:54

    Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IB...

  • Mount Escape to Single Leg X

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Mount Escape to Single Leg X, during the fundamental class on 04/12/2023.

    ✅ PART 1: 00:00 - 04:56
    ✅ PART 2: 04:57 - 14:14

    Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion...

  • Drop Seoi-Nage Takedown

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Drop Seoi-Nage Takedown, during the fundamental class on 04/06/2023.

    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 ...

  • Guard Retention Using Collar Grip - Part 2

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Retention Using Collar Grip, during the fundamental class on 04/05/2023.

    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 d...

  • In Action: Rolando Samson Applies a Perfect Collar Choke at the 2023 IBJJF Pan

    Learn this full technique by Professor Andy Murasaki: https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/collar-choke-from-the-back

  • In Action: Rolando Samson "Yoko Tomoe Nage" in the 2023 IBJJF Austin Open

    Learn Rolando Samson Full Technique here: https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/the-secrets-behind-rolando-samson-s-finest-technique-at-the-austin-open-finals

  • Dealing with Double Collar Guard Pull

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Double Collar Guard Pull, during the fundamental class on 03/16/2023.

    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...

  • Single Leg Review Part 2

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Single Leg Review, during the fundamental class on 03/15/2023.

    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...

  • Interview: Rolando Samson is Back in Top Shape For His Next Challenges 🔥

    In two tough matches last weekend, Rolando Samson won the gold medal at the IBJJF LA Open. One of those fights was against one of the toughest guys in his generation, Johnatha Alves (AOJ), and Rolando won. Now he's ready for the IBJJF Pan in Florida next week. He will compete in the Middle Weight...

  • Single Leg Review and More

    Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Single Leg Review and More, during the fundamental class on 03/14/2023.

    ✅ PART 1: 00:00 - 03:42
    ✅ PART 2: 03:43 - 13:59

    Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, ...