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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Saddle Entry From Single Leg X
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Saddle Entry From Single Leg X, during the fundamental class on 09/11/2025.
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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Y Guard Study
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Y Guard Study during the fundamental class on 09/10/2025.
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 bel...
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Y Guard Entry From DLR Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Y Guard Entry From DLR Guard, during the fundamental class on 09/09/2025.
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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Getting Underneath Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Getting Underneath Drill during the fundamental class on 09/08/2025.
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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X Guard Entry Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches X Guard Entry Drill during the fundamental class on 09/05/2025.
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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Entry to X Guard From Knee Shield
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Entry to X Guard From Knee Shield, during the fundamental class on 09/04/2025.
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...
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Straight Ankle Finishing Mechanics
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Straight Ankle Finishing Mechanics during the advanced class on 09/03/2025.
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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Foot Lock Study
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Foot Lock Study during the fundamental class on 09/02/2025.
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...
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Riding the Wave Back Take Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Riding the Wave Back Take Drill, during the fundamental class on 08/25/2025.
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 dur...
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Q&As of the Week
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Q&As of the Week during the fundamental class on 08/22/2025.
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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Deep Half Guard to Waiter Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Deep Half Guard to Waiter Guard, during the fundamental class on 08/21/2025.
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 dur...
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Single Leg X Back Take | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Single Leg X Back Take during the fundamental class on 08/19/2025.
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 co...
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Single Leg X Back Take | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Single Leg X Back Take during the fundamental class on 08/19/2025.
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 co...
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Back Takes From Turtle
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Back Takes From Turtle during the fundamental class on 08/18/2025.
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 co...
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Lazy Guard to Arm Bar
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Lazy Guard to Arm Bar, during the fundamental class on 08/15/2025.
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 co...
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2 on 1 Guard Review
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches 2 on 1 Guard Review, during the fundamental class on 08/14/2025.
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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Getting to Closed Guard From Standing
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Getting to Closed Guard From Standing, during the fundamental class on 08/13/2025.
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...
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Spider Guard Retention Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Spider Guard Retention Drill, during the fundamental class on 08/11/2025.
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 No-Gi Frames and Guard Retention Drills
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic No-Gi Frames and Guard Retention Drills, during the no-gi advanced class on 08/07/2025.
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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Crazy Dog Guard Retention Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Crazy Dog Guard Retention Drill, during the fundamental class on 08/07/2025.
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 dur...
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Open Guard Retention Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Open Guard Retention Drill, during the fundamental class on 08/05/2025.
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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Basic Open Guard Retention
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Open Guard Retention during the fundamental class on 08/04/2025.
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 hi...
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Stack Pass From Outside Passing
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Stack Pass From Outside Passing, during the fundamental class on 07/31/2025.
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 du...
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Shoulder Trap Passing Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Shoulder Trap Passing Drill, during the fundamental class on 07/30/2025.
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 ...
