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!

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10:51

Taking the Back When Opponents Sits Up With Clock Choke | Part 1

Taking the Back When Opponents Sits Up With Clock Choke | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Taking the Back When Opponents Sits Up With Clock Choke, during the fundamental class on 04/02/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/taking-the-back-when-opponents-sits-up-with-clock-choke-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt fr...
04:19

Taking the Back With Ride the Wave Drills | Part 2

Taking the Back With Ride the Wave Drills | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Taking the Back With Ride the Wave Drills, during the fundamental class on 04/01/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/taking-the-back-with-ride-the-wave-drills-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017...
02:07

Taking the Back With Ride the Wave Drills | Part 1

Taking the Back With Ride the Wave Drills | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Taking the Back With Ride the Wave Drills, during the fundamental class on 04/01/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/taking-the-back-with-ride-the-wave-drills-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017...
03:44

Taking the Back Drill With the Week Review | Part 2

Taking the Back Drill With the Week Review | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Taking the Back Drill With the Week Review, during the fundamental class on 03/29/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/taking-the-back-drill-with-the-week-review-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 20...
03:09

Taking the Back Drill With the Week Review | Part 1

Taking the Back Drill With the Week Review | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Taking the Back Drill With the Week Review, during the fundamental class on 03/29/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/taking-the-back-drill-with-the-week-review-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 20...
04:10

Countering Back Defense With 2 Reactions | Part 2

Countering Back Defense With 2 Reactions | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Countering Back Defense With 2 Reactions, during the fundamental class on 03/28/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/countering-back-defense-with-2-reactions-part-1
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/countering-back-defense-...
05:02

Countering Back Defense With 2 Reactions | Part 3

Countering Back Defense With 2 Reactions | Part 3

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Countering Back Defense With 2 Reactions, during the fundamental class on 03/28/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/countering-back-defense-with-2-reactions-part-1
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/countering-back-defense-...
02:25

Countering Back Defense With 2 Reactions | Part 1

Countering Back Defense With 2 Reactions | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Countering Back Defense With 2 Reactions, during the fundamental class on 03/28/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/countering-back-defense-with-2-reactions-part-2
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/countering-back-defense-...
09:08

Guard passing Drills & Attacking Turtle Review | Part 2

Guard passing Drills & Attacking Turtle Review | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard passing Drills & Attacking Turtle Review, during the fundamental class on 03/27/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-passing-drills-attacking-turtle-review-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in J...
04:43

Guard passing Drills & Attacking Turtle Review | Part 1

Guard passing Drills & Attacking Turtle Review | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard passing Drills & Attacking Turtle Review, during the fundamental class on 03/27/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-passing-drills-attacking-turtle-review-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in J...
08:26

Attacking the Back From Turtle Position | Part 2

Attacking the Back From Turtle Position | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Attacking the Back From Turtle Position, during the fundamental class on 03/26/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/attacking-the-back-from-turtle-position-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He...
11:12

Attacking the Back From Turtle Position | Part 1

Attacking the Back From Turtle Position | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Attacking the Back From Turtle Position, during the fundamental class on 03/26/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/attacking-the-back-from-turtle-position-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He...
03:58

DLR Passing Drills Using Shoulder Trap | Part 2

DLR Passing Drills Using Shoulder Trap | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches DLR Passing Drills Using Shoulder Trap, during the fundamental class on 03/19/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/dlr-passing-drills-using-shoulder-trap-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He i...
04:30

DLR Passing Drills Using Shoulder Trap | Part 1

DLR Passing Drills Using Shoulder Trap | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches DLR Passing Drills Using Shoulder Trap, during the fundamental class on 03/19/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/dlr-passing-drills-using-shoulder-trap-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He i...
04:48

Guard Retention Drills | Part 3

Guard Retention Drills | Part 3

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Retention Drills, during the fundamental class on 03/18/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-retention-drills-part-2
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-retention-drills-part-3

Rolando Samson received his b...
02:54

Guard Retention Drills | Part 2

Guard Retention Drills | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Retention Drills, during the fundamental class on 03/18/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-retention-drills-part-1
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-retention-drills-part-3

Rolando Samson received his b...
02:47

Guard Retention Drills | Part 1

Guard Retention Drills | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Guard Retention Drills, during the fundamental class on 03/18/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-retention-drills-part-2
Part 3- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/guard-retention-drills-part-3

Rolando Samson received his b...
08:37

Entry For SLX Review + Wrestle Up | Part 2

Entry For SLX Review + Wrestle Up | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Entry For SLX Review plus Wrestle Up, during the fundamental class on 03/14/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/entry-for-slx-review-wrestle-up-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJ...
06:23

Entry For SLX Review + Wrestle Up | Part 1

Entry For SLX Review + Wrestle Up | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches Entry For SLX Review plus Wrestle Up, during the fundamental class on 03/14/2024.

Paer 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/entry-for-slx-review-wrestle-up-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJJ...
08:36

K Guard Entry From Closed Guard With Waiter Guard Review | Part 2

K Guard Entry From Closed Guard With Waiter Guard Review | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches K Guard Entry From Closed Guard With Waiter Guard Review, during the fundamental class on 03/14/2024.

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 Dh...
05:43

K Guard Entry From Closed Guard With Waiter Guard Review | Part 1

K Guard Entry From Closed Guard With Waiter Guard Review | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches K Guard Entry From Closed Guard With Waiter Guard Review, during the fundamental class on 03/14/2024.

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 Dh...
05:41

Countering DLR Pass With K Guard | Part 2

Countering DLR Pass With K Guard | Part 2

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Counter DLR Pass With K Guard, during the fundamental class on 03/13/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/countering-dlr-pass-with-k-guard-part-1

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJ...
06:15

Countering DLR Pass With K Guard | Part 1

Countering DLR Pass With K Guard | Part 1

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches how to Counter DLR Pass With K Guard, during the fundamental class on 03/13/2024.

Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/countering-dlr-pass-with-k-guard-part-2

Rolando Samson received his black belt from Andre Galvao in June 2017. He is 2x IBJ...
08:42

K Guard With Outside Heel Hook Finish | Part 3

K Guard With Outside Heel Hook Finish | Part 3

Atos HQ black belt Rolando Samson teaches K Guard With Outside Heel Hook Finish | Part 3, during the advanced class on 03/12/2024.

Part 1- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/entry-to-slx-from-seated-guard-part-1-warm-up
Part 2- https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/videos/entry-to-slx-from-seate...