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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Shin Slice to Outside Passing Drill | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Shin Slice to Outside Passing Drill, during the fundamental class on 07/29/2025.
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/shin-slice-to-outside-passing-drill-part-1
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x I...
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Shin Slice to Outside Passing Drill | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Shin Slice to Outside Passing Drill, during the fundamental class on 07/29/2025.
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/shin-slice-to-outside-passing-drill-part-2
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x I...
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Windshield Wiper Drill to Outside Passing | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Windshield Wiper Drill to Outside Passing, during the fundamental class on 07/28/2025.
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/windshield-wiper-drill-to-outside-passing-part-1
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017...
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Windshield Wiper Drill to Outside Passing | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Windshield Wiper Drill to Outside Passing, during the fundamental class on 07/28/2025.
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/windshield-wiper-drill-to-outside-passing-part-2
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017...
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Worm Guard Pass Variations
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Worm Guard Pass Variations, during the fundamental class on 07/24/2025.
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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Passing Worm Guard With Outside Passing
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Passing Worm Guard With Outside Passing, during the fundamental class on 07/23/2025.
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 ...
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Countering Lasso With Shoulder Trap
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Countering Lasso With Shoulder Trap, during the fundamental class on 07/22/2025.
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...
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Crazy Dog Pass to Shoulder Trap
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Crazy Dog Pass to Shoulder Trap during the fundamental class on 07/21/2025.
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 duri...
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Reverse DLR Drill
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Reverse DLR Drill, during the fundamental class on 07/17/2025.
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 colore...
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Reverse DLR to Y Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Reverse DLR to Y Guard, during the fundamental class on 07/16/2025.
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 c...
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DLR Off-Balance Concepts Review With Back Take
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches DLR Off-Balance Concepts Review With Back Take, during the fundamental class on 07/11/2025.
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 Ch...
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X Guard Entry From De la Riva
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches X Guard Entry From De la Riva, during the fundamental class on 07/10/2025.
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 durin...
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De la Riva Off-Balance Concepts
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches De la Riva Off-Balance Concepts, during the fundamental class on 07/08/2025.
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 dur...
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Turtle Back Defense
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Turtle Back Defense during the fundamental class on 07/03/2025.
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 during his color...
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Triangle Defense
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Triangle Defense during the fundamental class on 07/02/2025.
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 ...
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Arm Bar Escaping
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Arm Bar Escaping, during the fundamental class on 07/01/2025.
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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Defending the Arm Bar
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Defending the Arm Bar, during the fundamental class on 06/30/2025.
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 his co...
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Wrist Lock From Closed Guard
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Wrist Lock From Closed Guard, during the fundamental class on 06/27/2025.
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 Closed Guard Submissions
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Closed Guard Submissions during the fundamental class on 06/26/2025.
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 durin...
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X Guard Entry to Triangle Finish
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches X Guard Entry to Triangle Finish, during the fundamental class on 06/25/2025.
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 du...
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Spider Guard Scissors Sweep to Triangle
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Spider Guard Scissors Sweep to Triangle, during the fundamental class on 06/24/2025.
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 ...
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Triangle From Double Sleeve Control
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Triangle From Double Sleeve Control, during the fundamental class on 06/23/2025.
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...
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Paper Cutter & North South Finish From Side Control
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Paper Cutter & North South Finish From Side Control, during the fundamental class on 06/19/2025.
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 P...
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D'Arce Choke From Side Control
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches D'Arce Choke From Side Control, during the fundamental class on 06/19/2025.
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 duri...
