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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Leg Staple Windshield Wiper Passing Of The Guard Pull
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Leg Staple Windshield Wiper Concepts, during the 9am Fundamentals class on 04/09/2021.
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 Champi...
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The Misdirection Passing From Open Guard
World Champion & Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches The Misdirection Passing From Open Guard, during the 9am Fundamentals class on 04/12/2021.
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...
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Knee Cut from the DLR Guard - Control Concepts & Details
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Knee Cut from the DLR Guard - Control Concepts & Details, during the Fundamentals class on 12/18/2019.
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 ...
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Modified Toreando Leg Drag Pass
World Champion & Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Modified Toreando Leg Drag Pass, during the fundamentals class on 04/20/2021.
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 Pr...
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Tricky Leg Entanglement Counter to Leg Drag
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches a Tricky Leg Entanglement Counter to Leg Drag, during the Advanced class on 02/19/2021.
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 Champ...
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Countering Quarter Guard with Back Step to Mount or Knee Slice
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Counter the Quarter Guard with Back Step to Mount or Knee Slice, during the Fundamentals class on 02/02/2021.
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...
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Taking The Back From Quarter Guard When Opponent Back Steps
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Taking The Back From Quarter Guard when your opponent Back Steps, during the Fundamentals class on 01/28/2021.
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 UAE...
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World Champ Guard Pass Tips
IBJJF World Champion Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing Tips, during the fundamental class on 04/23/2021.
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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C Grip Passing From Open Guard + Windshield Wiper to Leg Drag Back Take
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches C Grip Passing From Open Guard + Windshield Wiper to Leg Drag Back Take, during the Fundamentals class on 03/02/2021.
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, an IBJJF World Champion, an...
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C Grip Passing Conceptual Details + Leg Drag
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches C Grip Passing with conceptual details, plus a leg drag when your opponent inverts, during the Advanced class on 01/22/2021.
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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Misdirection Passing From Open Guard
World Champion, Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches important details for a great guard pass, during the 9am fundamentals class on 04/12/2021.
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 ...
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Amazing Single Leg X to Honey Hole Infinity Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches an Amazing Single Leg X to Honey Hole Infinity Drill, during the Advanced class on 02/23/2021.
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 Pr...
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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...
