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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Basic Side Control Defense
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Basic Side Control Defense, during the fundamental class on 01/10/2025.
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 h...
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Side Control Review
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Side Control Review, during the fundamental class on 01/09/2025.
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 his colo...
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Lapel Gift Wrap From Side Control
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Lapel Gift Wrap From Side Control, during the fundamental class on 01/08/2025.
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 d...
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Scarf Choke Details + Arm Bar From Side Control | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Scarf Choke Details plus Arm Bar From Side Control, during the fundamental class on 01/07/2025.
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 Pr...
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Scarf Choke Details + Arm Bar From Side Control | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Scarf Choke Details plus Arm Bar From Side Control, during the fundamental class on 01/07/2025.
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 Pr...
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Maintaining Side Control With Scarf Choke Submission
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Maintaining Side Control With Scarf Choke Submission, during the fundamental class on 01/06/2025.
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 ...
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Brabo Submissions
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Brabo Submissions, during the fundamental class on 12/30/2024.
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 colore...
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Choi Bar Finish
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Choi Bar Finish, during the fundamental class on 12/27/2024.
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 Dhabi Pro Champion (all during his colored ...
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Finishing the Triangle
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Triangle Choke, during the fundamental class on 12/23/2024.
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 colored b...
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Tarantula Guard Drill With Triangle Finish | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Tarantula Guard Drill With Triangle Finish, during the fundamental class on 12/20/2024.
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/tarantula-guard-drill-with-triangle-finish-part-1
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 20...
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Tarantula Guard Drill With Triangle Finish | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Tarantula Guard Drill With Triangle Finish, during the fundamental class on 12/20/2024.
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/tarantula-guard-drill-with-triangle-finish-part-2
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 20...
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Tarantula Guard Review
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Tarantula Guard Review, during the fundamental class on 12/19/2024.
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 c...
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Arm Drag & Collar Drag From Upper Body Guards | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Arm Drag & Collar Drag From Upper Body Guards, during the fundamental class on 12/17/2024.
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/arm-drag-collar-drag-from-upper-body-guards-part-1
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in Jun...
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Arm Drag & Collar Drag From Upper Body Guards | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Arm Drag & Collar Drag From Upper Body Guards, during the fundamental class on 12/17/2024.
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/arm-drag-collar-drag-from-upper-body-guards-part-2
Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in Jun...
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Back Take Defense to Single Leg X
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Back Take Defense to Single Leg X, during the fundamental class on 12/12/2024.
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 Champion (all d...
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Crazy Gog Guard Pass Recovery With Foot Lock Details | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Crazy Gog Guard Pass Recovery With Foot Lock Details, during the fundamental class on 12/11/2024.
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/crazy-gog-guard-pass-recovery-with-foot-lock-details-part-1
Rolando Samson received his black belt from And...
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Crazy Gog Guard Pass Recovery With Foot Lock Details | Part 1
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Crazy Gog Guard Pass Recovery With Foot Lock Details, during the fundamental class on 12/11/2024.
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/crazy-gog-guard-pass-recovery-with-foot-lock-details-part-2
Rolando Samson received his black belt from And...
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Hippoplata to Crucifx
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Hippoplata to Crucifx, during the fundamental class on 12/05/2024.
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 co...
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Shoe Lace From Crucifix
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Shoe Lace From Crucifix, during the fundamental class on 12/04/2024.
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 ...
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Choke From Crucifix
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Choke From Crucifix, during the fundamental class on 12/03/2024.
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 colo...
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Crucifix Entry
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Crucifix Entry, during the fundamental class on 12/02/2024.
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 colored b...
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Straight Arm Bar From Front Head Lock
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Straight Arm Bar From Front Head Lock, during the fundamental class on 11/29/2024.
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 (a...
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Intro to Front Head Lock | Part 3
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Intro to Front Head Lock, during the fundamental class on 11/26/2024.
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/what-s-new/videos/intro-to-front-head-lock
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/what-s-new/videos/intro-to-front-head-lock-part-3Rolando ...
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Intro to Front Head Lock | Part 2
Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Intro to Front Head Lock, during the fundamental class on 11/26/2024.
Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/what-s-new/videos/intro-to-front-head-lock
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/what-s-new/videos/intro-to-front-head-lock-part-3Rolando ...
