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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Gubber Guard to Omoplata
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Gubber Guard to Omoplata, during the fundamental class on 01/30/2023.
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...
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Lasso Guard Pass
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Lasso Guard Pass, during the fundamental class on 01/27/2023.
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...
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Live Class: Passing Lasso Guard by Rolando Samson
This class was transmitted on 01/27/2013.
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Guard Passing Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Passing Drill, during the fundamental class on 01/26/2023.
✅ PART 1: 00:00 - 01:39
✅ PART 2: 01:40 - 05:01Rolando 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 U...
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Guard Passing Drills
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Passing Drills, during the advanced class on 01/25/2022.
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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Sweep From Reverse DLR
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Sweep From Reverse DLR, during the fundamental class on 01/19/2023.
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 c...
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Live Class: Sweep From Reverse DLR by Rolando Samson
We streamed this class on January 19, 2023. Receive notifications of the next live class by downloading the APP.
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Getting Underneath From RDL
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Get Underneath From RDL, during the fundamental class on 01/17/2023.
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 duri...
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Side Smash from Headquarters Position
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Side Smash from Headquarters Position, during the advanced class on 01/09/2022.
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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Guard Passing Drills & Back Escapes
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Passing Drills & Back Escapes, during the fundamental class on 01/06/2023.
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...
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Back Take Recovery
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Back Take Recovery, during the fundamental class on 12/30/2022.
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...
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Passing Deep Half
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Pass Deep Half, during the fundamental class on 12/08/2022
✅ PART 1: 00:00 - 05:51
✅ PART 2: 05:52 - 12:39Rolando 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 ...
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Knee Shield Pass
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Knee Shield Pass, during the advanced class on 12/07/2022 (6:15pm).
✅ PART 1: 00:00 - 11:14
✅ PART 2: 11:15 - 20:29
👉🏽 Technique level: this technique is recommended to practitioners of all belt ranks.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Ga... -
Long Step Pass
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Long Step Pass, during the advanced class on 12/02/2022.
✅ PART 1: 00:00 - 3:14
✅ PART 2: 3:15 - 24:41
👉🏽 Technique level: this technique is recommended to practitioners of all belt ranks.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June ... -
📞 Telephone Armbar From Closed Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Telephone Armbar From Closed Guard, during the fundamental class on 11/17/2022.
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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Closed Guard Attacks
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Closed Guard Attacks, during the advanced class on 11/14/2022.
✅ PART 1: 00:00 - 13:29
✅ PART 2: 13:30 - 22:39
👉🏽 Technique level: this technique is recommended to practitioners of all belt ranks.Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao...
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Basic Closed Guard Sweep
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Closed Guard Sweep, during the fundamental class on 11/14/2022.
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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Leg Pin Pass Drills
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Leg Pin Pass Drills, during the fundamental class on 10/28/2022.
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 colo...
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Leg Pin Pass Variations
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Leg Pin Pass Variations, during the fundamental class on 10/27/2022.
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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Half Guard Tilt Sweep
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Half Guard Tilt Sweep, during the advanced class on 06/19/2022.
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...
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K Guard Passing Drills and Review
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches K Guard Passing Drills and Review, during the fundamentals class on 09/23/2022.
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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Windshield Wiper Drills
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Windshield Wiper Drills, during the fundamentals class on 09/26/2022.
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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Reverse DLR to Single Leg Review
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Reverse DLR to Single Leg X Review, during the fundamentals class on 09/15/2022.
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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Friday Q&A
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson answered questions about the techniques taught throughout the week, during the fundamental class on 08/26/2022.
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 ...
