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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Worm Guard Sweep
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Worm Guard Sweep during the advanced class on 02/13/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his colored b...
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Squid Guard to Hog Tie Sweep
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Squid Guard to Hog Tie Sweep during the fundamental class on 02/12/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all durin...
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X Guard Entry From Squid Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches X Guard Entry From Squid Guard during the fundamental class on 02/11/2024.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all dur...
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Squid Guard Counter to Leg Drag
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Squid Guard Counter to Leg Drag during the fundamental class on 02/10/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all du...
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Passing Squid Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing Squid Guard during the fundamental class on 02/09/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 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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Brabo Baseball Choke
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Brabo Baseball Choke during the fundamental class on 02/06/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 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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Wrist Lock From Side Control
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Wrist Lock From Side Control during the fundamental class on 02/05/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all durin...
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Approaching Maintaining Side Control
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Approaching Maintaining Side Control during the fundamental class on 02/04/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (a...
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Basic Side Control Submissions
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Side Control Submissions during the fundamental class on 02/03/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all dur...
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Stomp Pass to Leg Drag
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Stomp Pass to Leg Drag during the fundamental class on 01/30/2021.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his ...
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Passing Reverse DLR Posture
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing Reverse DLR Posture during the fundamental class on 01/28/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during...
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Z Guard to Closed Guard Recovery
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Z Guard to Closed Guard Recovery during the fundamental class on 01/23/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all d...
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Half Guard Recovery From Chest on Chest
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Half Guard Recovery From Chest on Chest during the fundamental class on 01/22/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion...
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Reverse DLR to Collar Sleeve Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Reverse DLR to Collar Sleeve Guard during the fundamental class on 01/20/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all...
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Intro to Half Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Intro to Half Guard during the fundamental class on 01/19/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 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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Student De la Riva Q&A
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Student De la Riva Q&A during the fundamental class on 01/16/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his ...
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Quicky Sweep From Single Leg X
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Quicky Sweep From Single Leg X during the fundamental class on 01/15/2020.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all dur...
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DLR Guard Off-Balance Concepts
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches DLR Guard Off-Balance Concepts during the fundamental class on 01/14/2020.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all dur...
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Basic De la Riva Off-Balance Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic De la Riva Off-Balance Drill during the fundamental class on 01/12/2025.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all...
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Guard Pull to De la Riva Sweep
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Pull to De la Riva Sweep during the fundamental class on 01/09/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all dur...
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Fail Takedown to Guard Pull
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Fail Takedown to Guard Pull during the fundamental class on 01/08/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during...
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Pulling to Closed Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Pulling to Closed Guard during the fundamental class on 01/07/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his...
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Save Guard Pull to De la Riva
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Save Guard Pull to De la Riva during the fundamental class on 01/06/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all duri...
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Basic Guard Pull
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Guard Pull during the fundamental class on 01/05/2026.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is a 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, and a UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his colore...
