Rolando Samson

Rolando Samson is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under André Galvão, who is also one of the most talented athletes of his generation – a reputation Rolando earned while competing in the lower ranks of this sport/martial art, through his victories in important International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) tournaments such as the World Championship, World No-Gi Championship, and American Nationals. Samson is also recognized for his hard work ethic, being one of the few high-level competitors in this sport who maintain a part-time training schedule.

Rolando Samson Jiu Jitsu

Full Name: Rolando Villanueva Samson

Nickname: N/A

Lineage:  C. Gracie > R. Gracie > Osvaldo Alves > Luis Dagmar > André Galvão > Rolando Samson

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place IBJJF JJ CON (2022)
• 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2023)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2013 blue)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2013 purple, 2012 blue)
• 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals (2014/2013 purple)
• 1st Place AJP Abu Dhabi Word Pro (2014 purple)
• 1st Place AJP US National Pro Champion (2015** purple)
• 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2017/2016 brown)
• 2nd Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2015 purple, 2013 blue)
• 3rd Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2017** purple, 2014 purple)

Main Achievements (Juvenile):

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2011)
• 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals (2012)
• 2nd Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2010 / 2011)

* Absolute
** Weight and absolute

Favorite Position/Technique: Long-step and Knee-slide Passing

Weight Division: Peso Médio (82,30 kg /181.5 lbs)

Team/Association: Atos Jiu Jitsu

Rolando Samson Biography

Rolando Samson was born on September 13, 1994 in San Diego, California – United States of America.

As a child, influenced by cartoons such as Dragon Ball Z Rolando gained interest in martial arts. This same curiosity was increased when Samson started watching classes at the after-school karate program in his neighbourhood.

Showing curiosity over martial arts, Samson was guided by his father to a Brazilian jiu jitsu school at the age of 9. 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.

Rolando went through the child and juvenile belt system competing for Brandão, for whom he conquered his first IBJJF World title. More focussed on his jiu jitsu career as a blue belt, Samson started dwelling over the idea of switching to a more competition focussed gym. 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.

Rolando Samson vs Ali Monfaradi

Rolando Samson vs Alex Souza