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!

Watch free Watch Trailer

04:36

Split Pass With Outside Pass | Part 2

Split Pass With Outside Pass | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Split Pass With Outside Pass, during the fundamental class on 09/10/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/split-pass-with-outside-pass-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-...
09:40

Split Pass With Outside Pass | Part 1

Split Pass With Outside Pass | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Split Pass With Outside Pass, during the fundamental class on 09/10/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/split-pass-with-outside-pass-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-...
06:26

Passing De la Riva Spider | Part 2

Passing De la Riva Spider | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing De la Riva Spider, during the fundamental class on 09/09/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/passing-de-la-riva-spider-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Cha...
06:38

Passing De la Riva Spider | Part 1

Passing De la Riva Spider | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing De la Riva Spider, during the fundamental class on 09/09/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/passing-de-la-riva-spider-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Cha...
06:35

Guard Retention Review With Drills | Part 2

Guard Retention Review With Drills | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Retention Review With Drills, during the fundamental class on 09/06/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-retention-review-with-drills-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJ...
07:14

Guard Retention Review With Drills | Part 1

Guard Retention Review With Drills | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Retention Review With Drills, during the fundamental class on 09/06/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-retention-review-with-drills-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJ...
10:21

Countering Crazy Dog With Choi Bar | Part 2

Countering Crazy Dog With Choi Bar | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Countering Crazy Dog With Choi Bar, during the fundamental class on 09/04/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/countering-crazy-dog-with-choi-bar-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJ...
04:02

Countering Crazy Dog With Choi Bar | Part 1

Countering Crazy Dog With Choi Bar | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Countering Crazy Dog With Choi Bar, during the fundamental class on 09/04/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/countering-crazy-dog-with-choi-bar-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJ...
12:21

Basic Closed Guard Concepts

Basic Closed Guard Concepts

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Closed Guard Concepts, during the fundamental class on 08/28/2024.

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 ...
08:28

Back Take From Quarter Guard Review + Arm Bar Finishing

Back Take From Quarter Guard Review + Arm Bar Finishing

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Back Take From Quarter Guard Review plus Arm Bar Finishing, during the fundamental class on 08/27/2024.

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 ...
08:01

Passing Headquarter Concepts

Passing Headquarter Concepts

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing Headquarters Concepts, during the fundamental class on 08/26/2024.

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 durin...
04:48

Side Line Leg Drag Concepts | Part 2

Side Line Leg Drag Concepts | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Side Line Leg Drag Concepts, during the fundamental class on 08/21/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/side-line-leg-drag-concepts-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi...
05:44

Side Line Leg Drag Concepts | Part 1

Side Line Leg Drag Concepts | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Side Line Leg Drag Concepts, during the fundamental class on 08/21/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/side-line-leg-drag-concepts-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi...
06:35

Kouchi to Single Leg

Kouchi to Single Leg

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Kouchi to Single Leg, during the fundamental class on 08/19/2024.

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 col...
03:35

Reverse DLR Pass Concepts With Drills | Part 2

Reverse DLR Pass Concepts With Drills | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Reverse DLR Pass Concepts With Drills, during the fundamental class on 08/16/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/reverse-dlr-pass-concepts-with-drills-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is ...
03:51

Reverse DLR Pass Concepts With Drills | Part 1

Reverse DLR Pass Concepts With Drills | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Reverse DLR Pass Concepts With Drills, during the fundamental class on 08/16/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/reverse-dlr-pass-concepts-with-drills-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is ...
09:24

Swing Single Takedown | Part 2

Swing Single Takedown | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Swing Single Takedown, during the fundamental class on 08/15/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/swing-single-takedown-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, a...
05:15

Swing Single Takedown | Part 1

Swing Single Takedown | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Swing Single Takedown, during the fundamental class on 08/15/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/swing-single-takedown-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, a...
06:30

Leg Drag From Reverse DLR | Part 2

Leg Drag From Reverse DLR | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Leg Drag From Reverse DLR, during the fundamental class on 08/14/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/leg-drag-from-reverse-dlr-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Cha...
01:34

Leg Drag From Reverse DLR | Part 1

Leg Drag From Reverse DLR | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Leg Drag From Reverse DLR, during the fundamental class on 08/14/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/leg-drag-from-reverse-dlr-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJF World No-Gi Cha...
08:34

Shin Slice to Side Smash From Reverse DLR | Part 2

Shin Slice to Side Smash From Reverse DLR | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Shin Slice to Side Smash From Reverse DLR, during the fundamental class on 08/13/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/shin-slice-to-side-smash-from-reverse-dlr-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017...
05:03

Shin Slice to Side Smash From Reverse DLR | Part 1

Shin Slice to Side Smash From Reverse DLR | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Shin Slice to Side Smash From Reverse DLR, during the fundamental class on 08/13/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/shin-slice-to-side-smash-from-reverse-dlr-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017...
06:19

Passing Knee shield From Reverse DLR Guard

Passing Knee shield From Reverse DLR Guard

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing Knee shield From Reverse DLR Guard, during the fundamental class on 08/12/2024.

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...
04:30

Toreando Windshield Wiper Drills

Toreando Windshield Wiper Drills

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Toreando Windshield Wiper Drills, during the fundamental class on 08/09/2024.

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...