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Hamilton Blocks Jones, Brands Him ‘Coward’ Over Helicopter Pig Kill
UFC Star Jon Jones Says Lewis Hamilton Blocked Him Over Helicopter Hunting Video
What Happened?
Imagine two famous athletes—one from mixed martial arts (UFC) and one from Formula 1 racing—having a big disagreement on social media. That’s exactly what happened between Jon Jones (UFC champion) and Lewis Hamilton (7-time F1 champion).
Jones recently revealed in an interview that Hamilton blocked him and called him a "coward" after seeing a video of Jones hunting a pig from a helicopter.
The Hunting Video That Started It All
In January 2021, a video surfaced showing Jon Jones doing something that upset many people:
- Jones went hunting with a group of Army Rangers (elite soldiers)
- They hunted wild pigs from a helicopter
- Jones used an AR-15 (a type of rifle) to shoot a pig
- He posted the video with the caption: "One shot, one kill, lots of bacon. Was an honour hunting with Medal of Honour recipient Patrick Payne."
- Jones said the pig meat was donated to an underprivileged family
Important Note: A "Medal of Honor recipient" is someone who received the highest military award for bravery in the U.S. Patrick Payne is one of these heroes.
Hamilton’s Response
Lewis Hamilton saw the video and did not like it at all. Here’s what he did:
- Sent Jones a long private message expressing his disappointment
- Called Jones a "coward" for shooting from a helicopter
- Said he "thought Jones was better than that"
- Argued that traditional hunting should use a spear, bow, or arrow
- Wrote something like: "Only a coward could shoot an animal from a helicopter. Give the animal a chance to fight you back at least."
- Unfollowed Jones on social media
- Blocked Jones so they couldn’t interact anymore
Jones’s Explanation
During a recent interview with AFLGlobal, Jones shared his side of the story:
- He was proud of making the shot from a moving helicopter
- The pig was donated to a family in need—not wasted
- He was hunting with highly trained military professionals
- He admired Hamilton and was hurt by the block
- At the end of the interview, Jones apologized publicly: "Lewis, if you’re listening, I’m sorry."
The Aftermath
| Person | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Jones | Posted hunting video | Lost a fan/hero (Hamilton) |
| Lewis Hamilton | Sent message, unfollowed, blocked | Cut ties with Jones |
| Both | Public discussion | Sparked debate about hunting ethics |
KEY TAKEAWAY: Even famous people can disagree strongly on moral issues. This wasn’t about sports—it was about values and ethics.
Hamilton’s Animal Rights Advocacy
This wasn’t a random reaction. Hamilton has been an animal rights advocate for years:
- 2017: Switched to a plant-based diet (no meat, dairy, or animal products)
- 2018: Named PETA’s Person of the Year (PETA = People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
- 2019: Spoke publicly about how animal agriculture contributes to:
- Deforestation (cutting down forests)
- Animal cruelty
- Ocean damage
- Climate change
Simple Explanation: A "plant-based diet" means eating only foods that come from plants—vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds. No meat, fish, eggs, or dairy.
Summary
In simple terms: Jon Jones posted a video of himself shooting a pig from a helicopter during a hunt with Army Rangers. Lewis Hamilton, a longtime animal rights activist, saw it, called Jones a coward privately, then blocked him on social media. Jones was hurt because he admired Hamilton, and later apologized publicly. The incident highlights a clash between different views on hunting and animal treatment.
FAQ
Why did Lewis Hamilton block Jon Jones?
Hamilton blocked Jones after seeing a video of Jones shooting a pig from a helicopter with an AR-15. Hamilton strongly believes in animal rights and felt this method of hunting was cruel and cowardly.
What did Jon Jones say about the hunt?
Jones explained he was hunting with Army Rangers, the pig was donated to a family in need, and he was proud of the difficult shot from a moving helicopter.
Is Lewis Hamilton a vegetarian?
Hamilton follows a plant-based diet (often called vegan), meaning he eats no animal products. He switched in 2017 for ethical, environmental, and health reasons.
Did Jon Jones apologize?
Yes. At the end of his interview, Jones said: "Lewis, if you’re listening, I’m sorry." He also mentioned he was a fan of Hamilton and was disappointed to be blocked.
What is PETA and why did they honor Hamilton?
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is the largest animal rights organization in the world. They named Hamilton Person of the Year in 2018 for using his platform to promote veganism and speak against animal cruelty.
