Team One MMA Gym Opens on Oak Park Avenue

After years of learning about mixed martial arts in garages, back yards and other locations he happened upon, Shawn Terrance is happy to have a new space in which he can pass on that training. 

The owner of Team One MMA moved to a new location at 17747 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park on Dec. 1. Previously, the gym was operating in a smaller space on Spring Creek Drive. 

"We really needed to grow and expand," said Terrance, an Evergreen Park native. "Now we have more space for more programs and we're much more visible." 

Terrance began teaching mixed martial arts in a church basement in Orland Park and trained people through the Youth of America Outreach Program. Team One was founded in 2006 and moved to Tinley Park. 

The gym offers programs for children and adults, including karate, Muay Thai, jiujitsu, wrestling and kickboxing. (See a full list here.) Membership is monthly, and Terrance said the style of training can be good for anyone.

"It really helps out with focus and discipline," he said. "Having something that’s not only testing your body, but also your mind and your heart." 

In 2010, Team One organized an MMA fight team that competes. There are regular tryouts for people interested in joining. So far, the team is 56-10 with eight titles, and has produced professional MMA fighter Jason Ignacek, who is signed with the Xtreme Fighting Championships out of Tennessee. 

The gym will have a grand opening event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. The Chamber of Commerce will be there for a ribbon cutting and there will also be food, vendors and more.