JON JONES DESCRIBES LEWIS HAMILTON'S RESPONSE TO HELICOPTER HUNT VIDEO

Jon Jones, a former MMA fighter, shared an account in which Lewis Hamilton objected to a video Jones posted in 2021 showing him shooting a wild pig from a helicopter during a hunt with Army Rangers. According to Jones's account, Hamilton, who describes himself as a longtime animal advocate and vegan, sent Jones a message calling him a coward and subsequently unfollowed and blocked him on social media. Jones stated that he had been a fan of Hamilton and felt disappointed by the F1 driver's reaction.

In his account, Jones said Hamilton believed animals should be hunted with bows and arrows rather than rifles fired from helicopters, as the traditional method gave the animal a chance to defend itself. Jones stated that the pig he killed was donated to an underprivileged family in the community. The video attracted widespread negative reaction from fans, and Jones issued a public apology in 2021, stating the video made some people uncomfortable whilst defending hunting practices and noting that people who objected to the hunt consumed meat products regularly.

Jones reflected that the incident caused him lasting disappointment, describing Hamilton's social media actions as "the final nail in the coffin" of their connection as fan and sports personality. Years after the 2021 incident, Jones said he continued to feel the effect of having disappointed someone he admired. No statement from Hamilton regarding the exchange has been reported.