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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"Taking A Ride" Back Take Using Leg Drag System From Spider Lasso Guard
World Champion Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to attack the back from Spider Lasso Guard using the leg drag, during the fundamental class on 05/21/2021.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Ch...
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Arm Bar From Two-on-One Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Arm Bar From Two-on-One Guard, during the Advanced class on 12/30/2019.
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 ...
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Leg Drag Concepts: Leg Drag to Knee Slice
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Leg Drag Concepts, during the advanced class on 05/28/2021.
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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Back Take From Collar Drag
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Back Take From Collar Drag, during the Fundamentals class on 10/28/2019.
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...
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Basic Submissions From The Back - RNC, Arm Bar, Collar Choke
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Submissions From The Back - RNC, Arm Bar, Collar Choke, during the Basic Jiu-Jitsu class on 01/11/2021.
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 UAEJ...
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Double Knee Cut Half Wiper Pass From DLR Guard
World Champion Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Same Side DLR Guard Pass, during the fundamental class on 06/01/2021.
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...
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Triangle When Opponent Plays Knee Shield Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Triangle When Opponent Knee Shield, during the fundamental class on 06/04/2021.
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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Collar Drag To Back Take + Half Butterfly Modification
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Collar Drag To Back Take + Half Butterfly Modification, during the Fundamentals class on 10/22/2019.
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 Dh...
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Clock Choke From the Back
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Clock Choke From the Back during the fundamentals class on 06/08/2021.
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...
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Attacking the Omoplata From Collar/Sleeve Guard & Transition to Leg Drag Sweep
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Attacking the Omoplata From Collar/Sleeve Guard & Transition to Leg Drag Sweep, during the fundamentals class on 06/17/2021.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champ...
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Lapel Choke from Side Control
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 belts).
Instagram: @rolando_samson
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Attacks From Collar & Sleeve Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Attacks From Collar & Sleeve Guard, during the fundamentals class on 06/14/2021.
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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Shin Trap Windshield Wiper Foot Work To Leg Drag
World Champion, Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson explains how to precisely use the windshield wiper foot work for a strong leg drag pass, during the 615pm fundamentals class on 03/19/2020.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champio...
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Basic Spider Guard Sweep
World Champion, Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches a basic spider guard sweep, during the 9am fundamentals class on 11/25/2019.
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 ...
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Lasso Sweep From Spider Guard
World Champion, Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches a lasso sweep from spider guard, during the 9am fundamentals class on 11/26/2019.
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...
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Basic Side Control Transition To Mount & Back Take
World Champion, Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Transitions from side control to mount & back position, during the 9am fundamentals class on 12/24/2019.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Cha...
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DLR Guard Sweep to Leg Drag Pass
World Champion, Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches DLR guard Sweep to Leg Drag, during the 615pm fundamentals class on 12/06/2020.
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 P...
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Closed Guard Tips
World Champion Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Closed Guard Tips, during the fundamentals class on 06/10/2021.
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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Hip Tilt Single Leg X Sweep From Sit Up Shin To Shin Guard
World Champion, Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches the Hip Tilt Single Leg X Sweep From Sit Up Shin To Shin Guard, during the 615pm fundamentals class on 01/25/2018.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World...
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Sweep From De la Riva X With the Lapel
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Sweep From De la Riva X With the Lapel, during the advanced class on 08/27/2018.
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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Back Take From Half Guard With The Brabo Grip
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Back Take From the Half Guard With the Brabo Grip, during the fundamentals class on 02/09/2018.
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 P...
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Top Spin To Leg Drag When Opponent Invert
IBJJF World Champion, Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Top Spin To Leg Drag When Opponent Invert, during the 615pm fundamentals class on 10/15/2019.
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 ...
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Sweeping and Standing With Sit Up Guard DETAILS
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Sweep and Standing With Sit Up Guard DETAILS , during the fundamental class on 01/23/2018.
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...
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Arm Bar From Turtle Position + Lapel Grip Break
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Arm Bar From Turtle Position + Lapel Grip Break, during the Fundamentals class on 11/16/2018.
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...
