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 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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04:40

Kiss of the Dragon to Leg Drag | Part 1

Kiss of the Dragon to Leg Drag | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Kiss of the Dragon to Leg Drag, during the advanced class on 10/05/2023.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/kiss-of-the-dragon-to-leg-drag-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No...
10:24

Kiss of the Dragon to Leg Drag | Part 2

Kiss of the Dragon to Leg Drag | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Kiss of the Dragon to Leg Drag, during the advanced class on 10/05/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/kiss-of-the-dragon-to-leg-drag-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No...
03:03

Leg Drag Review With Drills | Part 1

Leg Drag Review With Drills | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Leg Drag Review With Drills, during the fundamental class on 10/03/2023.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/leg-drag-review-with-drills-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi...
04:22

Leg Drag Review With Drills | Part 2

Leg Drag Review With Drills | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Leg Drag Review With Drills, during the fundamental class on 10/03/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/leg-drag-review-with-drills-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi...
04:57

Recovering From Failed Sit Up Guard | Part 1

Recovering From Failed Sit Up Guard | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Recover From Failed Sit Up Guard, during the fundamental class on 09/28/2023.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/recovering-from-failed-sit-up-guard-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is ...
10:16

Recovering From Failed Sit Up Guard | Part 2

Recovering From Failed Sit Up Guard | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Recover From Failed Sit Up Guard, during the fundamental class on 09/28/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/recovering-from-failed-sit-up-guard-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is ...
02:10

Defending the Underhook | Part 1

Defending the Underhook | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Defending the Underhook Part 1, during the no-gi fundamental class on 09/28/2023.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/defending-the-underhook-part-2
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/defending-the-underhook-part-3

Rolando Samso...
05:34

Defending the Underhook | Part 2

Defending the Underhook | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Defending the Underhook Part 2, during the no-gi fundamental class on 09/28/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/defending-the-underhook-part-1
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/defending-the-underhook-part-3

Rolando Samso...
06:04

Defending the Underhook | Part 3

Defending the Underhook | Part 3

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Defending the Underhook Part 3, during the no-gi fundamental class on 09/28/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/defending-the-underhook-part-1
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/defending-the-underhook-part-2

Rolando Samso...
02:17

Takedown Defense and Drills | Part 1

Takedown Defense and Drills | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Takedown Defense and Drills Part 1, during the no-gi fundamental class on 09/26/2023.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/takedown-defense-and-drills-part-2
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/takedown-defense-and-drills-part-3

R...
02:20

Takedown Defense and Drills | Part 2

Takedown Defense and Drills | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Takedown Defense and Drills Part 2, during the no-gi fundamental class on 09/26/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/takedown-defense-and-drills-part-1
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/takedown-defense-and-drills-part-3

R...
06:27

Takedown Defense and Drills | Part 3

Takedown Defense and Drills | Part 3

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Takedown Defense and Drills Part 2, during the no-gi fundamental class on 09/26/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/takedown-defense-and-drills-part-1
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/takedown-defense-and-drills-part-2

R...
02:18

Sit Up Guard to Deep DLR X Sweep | Part 1

Sit Up Guard to Deep DLR X Sweep | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Sit Up Guard to Deep DLR X Sweep, during the fundamental class on 09/26/2023.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/sit-up-guard-to-deep-dlr-x-sweep-part-2
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/sit-up-guard-to-deep-dlr-x-sweep-part-3
...
06:30

Sit Up Guard to Deep DLR X Sweep | Part 2

Sit Up Guard to Deep DLR X Sweep | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Sit Up Guard to Deep DLR X Sweep, during the fundamental class on 09/26/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/sit-up-guard-to-deep-dlr-x-sweep-part-1
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/sit-up-guard-to-deep-dlr-x-sweep-part-3
...
03:16

Guard Pull to Sit Up Guard Sweeps | Part 1

Guard Pull to Sit Up Guard Sweeps | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Pull to Sit Up Guard Sweeps, during the fundamental class on 09/25/2023.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-pull-to-sit-up-guard-sweeps-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF...
12:00

Guard Pull to Sit Up Guard Sweeps | Part 2

Guard Pull to Sit Up Guard Sweeps | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Pull to Sit Up Guard Sweeps, during the fundamental class on 09/25/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-pull-to-sit-up-guard-sweeps-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF...
03:49

Defending Passing Using Collar Drag

Defending Passing Using Collar Drag

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Defending Passing Using Collar Drag, during the fundamental class on 09/21/2023.

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...
05:58

Collar Drag Recovery | Part 2

Collar Drag Recovery | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Collar Drag Recovery, during the fundamental class on 09/20/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/collar-drag-recovery-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an ...
02:08

Collar Drag From Collar Sleeve Guard | Part 1

Collar Drag From Collar Sleeve Guard | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Collar Drag From Collar Sleeve Guard, during the fundamental class on 09/19/2023.

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 (al...
07:55

Collar Drag From Collar Sleeve Guard | Part 2

Collar Drag From Collar Sleeve Guard | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Collar Drag From Collar Sleeve Guard, during the fundamental class on 09/19/2023.

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 (al...
03:05

Neutralyzing Outside Passes | Part 1

Neutralyzing Outside Passes | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Neutralize Outside Passes, during the fundamental class on 09/12/2023.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/neutralyzing-outside-passes-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World ...
09:14

Neutralyzing Outside Passes | Part 2

Neutralyzing Outside Passes | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Neutralise Outside Passes, during the fundamental class on 09/12/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/neutralyzing-outside-passes-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World ...
05:37

Recovering From Reverse DLR With One Leg X Entry | Part 1

Recovering From Reverse DLR With One Leg X Entry | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Recover From Reverse DLR With One Leg X Entry, during the fundamental class on 09/07/2023.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/recovering-from-reverse-dlr-with-one-leg-x-entry-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre G...
08:11

Recovering From Reverse DLR With One Leg X Entry | Part 2

Recovering From Reverse DLR With One Leg X Entry | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Recover From Reverse DLR With One Leg X Entry, during the fundamental class on 09/07/2023.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/recovering-from-reverse-dlr-with-one-leg-x-entry-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre G...