If you had to show only one fight...

[Bluntforce420]

Nick Diaz vs Gomi

 

[akproplayer]

fedor vs mirko

 

[Egészségére!]

 

[Anung Un Rama]

Shogun vs. Machida 1

Its a beautiful fight and highly technical with a title on the line fought by guys who could end it at any time with one punch.
Its also a great example of styles make fights.

 

[ClaptonIsGod]

Hendo vs Shogun I and dare I say Holm vs Rousey....

Insert gif here of the new black sheriff Bart in Blazing Saddles echoing, "Dare, Dare."

 

[caesar]

Murilo Bustamante vs. Dave Menne.

What the fuck for lol?

 

[Mikey Palangio]

Anderson Sliva locking that triangle on Chael Sonnen was just UNBELIEVABLE.

The skill it takes to pull that off is off the charts. That was a legacy defining and saving moment.

That fight made me follow MMA. I was flabbergasted. That was a movie script ending. A movie about Silva should end with that scene.

Then I found out he was dealing with a rib injury in his training camp. Wow!

 

[king of theRing]

Jorge Santiago vs misaki 2

 

[Meathead Jock]

Rory vs Robbie 2

 

[powerBJJ]

cody vs cruz was a fun fight to watch my house was going crazy when he was dancing around

 

[Juzie]

Maybe Rampage vs Wanderlei 1 if they are the type who I think would like it for the sport aspect otherwise maybe Silva vs Griffin or the good ole TUF classic Forrest vs Bonnar if I pick them too be a more casual fan. The Silva vs Griffin fight is probably the safe pick since either side of the fence can appreciate that one.

 

[INTERL0PER]

Lots of answers in this thread would be too much for MMA neophytes, IMO.

Too much violence and blood will turn a lot of people off, so fights like Lawler MacDonald 2 or Jones v Shogun aren't great choices, despite being amazing fights.

I'd go with Pettis v Bendo 1. Great back and forth action on the feet and the ground, with high stakes (for the final WEC LW belt and, at the time, a shot at the UFC belt), finishing off with the one of the most spectacular kicks in MMA.

 

[Sage NorthGOAT]

Shamrock/Gracie 2? (the 34 minuet one) killed my hype for MMA, but years later Anderson got me into it. Dont remember which fight

 

[lockjaw211]

Gomi vs anyone pride/ bushido days

 

[Fatback96]

Diego Sanchez vs Karo Parisyan

And just for fun...

 

[Flokk]

Shogun v. Machida 1.

Filter out the mouth-breathing neckbeards, live happily ever after.

 

[Andy 93]

Lawler vs Conduit.

 

[dr.sick]

Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald

 

[UseARubberGuard]

If I'm trying to show them everything about MMA, instead of just going for the best war possible I go with

KZ/Porier or Cowboy/Bendo 1

Fights with non-stop action both standing and grappling

 

[Andy 93]

Lawler vs Condit