Jon Jones and Lewis Hamilton’s Social-Media Fallout Over a Helicopter Pig Hunt

In 2021 Jon Jones, the former UFC light-heavyweight and heavyweight champion, posted video footage of himself hunting a wild pig from a helicopter while accompanying a group of U.S. Army Rangers. The hunt was carried out with AR-15 rifles, and Jones said the animal’s meat was later donated to an under-privileged family. After the clip circulated online, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion, sent Jones a lengthy direct-message criticizing the method and subsequently unfollowed and blocked him on Instagram.

ComplexLewis Hamilton called Jon Jones a ‘coward’ and blocked him after helicopter hunt, UFC great claims ‘He called me a coward’: Jon Jones reveals long message and block from Hamilton on social media Jones Reveals Hamilton Called Him Coward Over Pig Hunt Jon Jones says F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton attacked him in DMs for hunting pigs Jon Jones Blocked by F1 Driver Lewis Hamilton on IG Jones Apologises To Hamilton After Hunting Dispute Sportskeeda

Jones’s hunting outing was described by the fighter as a “proud” moment, emphasizing the charitable donation of the pork. The incident occurred during a period when Jones was transitioning from the light-heavyweight division to heavyweight and had recently vacated his UFC title.

Jon Jones Apologizes to Lewis Hamilton After Revealing Why $60M Star Called Him a “Coward”

Lewis Hamilton has been a vocal vegan and animal-rights advocate since adopting a plant-based diet in 2017. He has repeatedly used his platform to denounce animal cruelty, promote plant-based initiatives, and call for reductions in animal-derived products within the automotive industry. Hamilton’s public stance provides the ethical backdrop for his reaction to Jones’s helicopter hunt.

Lewis Hamilton called Jon Jones a ‘coward’ and blocked him after helicopter hunt, UFC great claims

Jones added that Hamilton believed shooting from a helicopter gave the animal no chance to fight back.

Lewis Hamilton called Jon Jones a ‘coward’ and blocked him after helicopter hunt, UFC great claims

Hamilton has not publicly confirmed the contents of the private message; the only account of his response comes from Jones’s interview. He concluded the interview with an apology directed at Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton called Jon Jones a coward over helicopter pig hunt

• “I went hunting years ago with bunch of army rangers, and we ended up hunting pigs from a helicopter from using AR-15s,” — Jon Jones, former UFC champion

Jon Jones reveals why F1 star Lewis Hamilton called him a coward, blocked him on social media

• “He said, ‘At least give the animal a chance to fight back.’ Then he unfollowed me and blocked me. And it sucked because I was a fan of his, but he was really disappointed in me over that shot,” — Lewis Hamilton, world drivers' champion

‘He called me a coward’: Jon Jones reveals long message and block from Hamilton on social media

• “Lewis, if you're listening, I'm sorry,” — Jon Jones, former UFC champion

Jones Apologises To Hamilton After Hunting Dispute

• “He unfollowed me and he blocked me and it sucked because I was his fan,” — Jon Jones, former UFC champion

Why did Lewis Hamilton block Jon Jones? UFC icon reveals hunting dispute

The precise timing of the hunt is reported inconsistently. Some sources refer to the event as occurring “years ago,” while others identify the footage as posted in January 2021. No independent verification of the exact date is provided.

Complex

Hamilton’s alleged message is known solely through Jones’s recounting; no statement from Hamilton or his representatives has been published to confirm or deny the wording. Consequently, the claim that Hamilton called Jones a coward and advocated spear or bow hunting remains an attributed claim rather than an established fact.

Complex

The exchange illustrates how personal ethics can intersect with public personas across disparate sports. Hamilton’s vegan advocacy and Jones’s hunting enthusiasm represent contrasting value systems that, when made visible on social media, can alter fan perceptions and affect the athletes’ cross-sport relationships. The incident also underscores the speed with which a single online video can trigger a high-profile social-media dispute, leading to a permanent break in a previously amicable connection between two globally recognized athletes.

Lewis Hamilton called Jon Jones a ‘coward’ and blocked him after helicopter hunt, UFC great claims