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Black Cat Mixed Martial Arts and Self Defense

5 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Morgantown, West Virginia

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fight team

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule morgantownmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 304-290-0615

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at Black Cat Mixed Martial Arts and Self Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 2 mentions

“Knowledgeable, friendly, instructors, and a great atmosphere for the experienced, and beginners alike!”

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🧒 Kids Muay Thai 11 mentions

“The main instructor, Josh, is an amazing teacher, even with children which are harder to teach due to attention and lack of physical control learned over years.”

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🏆 Fight Team 2 mentions

“Definitely stop in Black Cat MMA if you’re wanting to get into shape, start a new hobby, learn to defend yourself, or want to compete.”

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📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“The kids class provides a good foundation for self-defense, as well as the basics of jiu jitsu.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“The kids class provides a good foundation for self-defense, as well as the basics of jiu jitsu.”

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Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Black Cat Mixed Martial Arts and Self Defense — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing 5 mentions

“My daughter started in the Kitten Kombat classes in January, and I started the Kickboxing classes in June.”

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🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 6 mentions

“I've never actually been to this business, BUT Josh Fowler was an instrumental factor in my progression in BJJ when I lived in Morgantown.”

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🏟️ MMA 7 mentions

“Multiple disciplines offered, BJJ, MMA, wrestling, kickboxing, Kali, and JKD.”

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🤸 Wrestling 2 mentions

“Multiple disciplines offered, BJJ, MMA, wrestling, kickboxing, Kali, and JKD.”

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Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 25 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 4 mentions

“Great instructors, easy to follow classes, very helpful if in need of answering questions, best place to train in morgantown!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“Welcoming and positive environment that encourages collaboration and skill development for all ages and backgrounds!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 4 mentions

“Welcoming and positive environment that encourages collaboration and skill development for all ages and backgrounds!”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Josh (the owner) does an excellent job with the kids, and it's been a lot of fun watching my kid get more confident with herself and get stronger.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 2 mentions

“Definitely stop in Black Cat MMA if you’re wanting to get into shape, start a new hobby, learn to defend yourself, or want to compete.”

From the reviews

Black Cat is an excellent gym with an unrivaled culture! I have attended classes since the day the gym opened and I have always felt that I have fun and safe place to learn and grow in martial arts and as a person. Josh is a fantastic teacher, mentor, and friend to his students.

★★★★★ — Jacob, Sep 2023

I honestly can't say enough good things about Black Cat. My daughter started in the Kitten Kombat classes in January, and I started the Kickboxing classes in June. Josh (the owner) does an excellent job with the kids, and it's been a lot of fun watching my kid get more confident with herself and get stronger.

★★★★★ — Ashley, Jul 2025

I’ve known coach Josh Fowler for a long time now, and you won’t find many instructors who have the cumulative knowledge of many styles of martial arts like he does.

★★★★★ — Skylinedriver15, Jan 2023

Solid place to train. Best MMA gym in Morgantown. All the coaches have a lot of knowledge in their respective sports. The owner, Josh Fowler, has always been one of the most knowledgeable martial artists I know. He’s also pretty quick with a joke.

★★★★★ — Densel, Jan 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 25 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Black Cat Mixed Martial Arts and Self Defense

Black Cat Mixed Martial Arts and Self Defense comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first muay thai class at Black Cat Mixed Martial Arts and Self Defense

Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Black Cat Mixed Martial Arts and Self Defense

9500 Mall Rd Ste 217, Morgantown, WV26501

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.