UFC icon Jon Jones has revealed that Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton once sent him a scathing direct message over a helicopter hunting trip, ultimately leading the British racing star to unfollow and block him on social media.
Jones opened up about the incident during an interview with ALF Global, describing a trip he took with a group of Army Rangers where they hunted feral pigs from a helicopter using AR-15s. Jones said he was proud of himself for the outing, noting that the animal was later donated to a family in need.
“I was so proud of myself because I shot one of the pigs from a helicopter,” Jones said. “This pig was later given to a needy family in our area.”
But Hamilton, a vocal advocate for animal welfare and a long-time vegan, apparently did not share Jones’ enthusiasm when he came across the footage. According to Jones, Hamilton sent him a lengthy message taking him to task not just for hunting, but for the method involved.
“Louis saw me sho0ting a pig from a helicopter and wrote me a long message,” Jones said. “He said I was a coward and that he thought I was better than this.”
Hamilton’s argument, as Jones recounted it, was that hunting from a helicopter denied the animal any real chance of escape and stripped the pursuit of any genuine challenge.
“He wrote something like: ‘Only a coward would shoot an animal from a helicopter. At least give the animal a chance to fig ht back,'” Jones recalled.
After delivering that verdict, Hamilton unfollowed and blocked Jones, severing all contact. Jones said the move stung, given his genuine admiration for the seven-time world champion.
“It was a shame because I was a fan of his. I’m really a fan of his,” Jones said. “But he was very disappointed in me for that.”
Jones took a more gracious route, closing out the story with a direct apology aimed at Hamilton.
“So Lewis, if you’re listening, I’m sorry, brother, I’m sorry, I won’t do it again,” Jones said.
