‘I’m Sorry, Lewis’: UFC Legend Jon Jones Offers Public Apology Five Years After Formula 1 Superstar Lewis Hamilton Branded Him a ‘Coward’ and Blocked Him for Shooting a Pig from a Helicopter

UFC superstar Jon Jones has publicly issued an apology to seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, five years after the Ferrari driver branded him a “coward” and blocked him on social media. The feud between the two world-class athletes traces back to January 2021, when Jones posted footage of himself participating in a wild pig hunt from a helicopter alongside a group of American military personnel. Hamilton, a passionate vegan and globally recognized advocate for animal rights, took severe offense to the violent footage, sending Jones a scathing private message before cutting off all digital communication with the mixed martial arts icon.

During a recent interview with AFLGlobal, the former UFC heavyweight champion reflected on the fallout, revealing the contents of the message he received from Hamilton and admitting his disappointment at losing the respect of a sporting hero. At the time of the incident, Jones had posted images holding an AR-15 rifle after hunting with US Army Rangers, celebrating the kill online with the caption: “One shot, one kill, lots of bacon. Was an honour hunting with Medal of Honor recipient Patrick Payne.”

“I went hunting years ago with a bunch of Army Rangers and we ended up hunting pigs from a helicopter using AR-15s. I was so proud of myself because I killed one of the pigs from the helicopter and my pig was donated to an underprivileged family in the community. But Lewis saw me shoot the pig from the helicopter,” Jon Jones explained during his recent interview.

‘Give the Animal a Chance to Fight Back’: Inside Hamilton’s Scathing Message and Social Media Block

Describing the confrontation, Jones recalled receiving a detailed, highly critical message directly from Hamilton shortly after the video went viral. According to Jones, the British racing star expressed profound disappointment in his actions, arguing that targeting an animal from an airborne vehicle stripped the hunt of any athletic or traditional integrity. Hamilton argued that traditional hunting methods involved far more balanced engagement, accusing Jones of taking an unfair advantage over the wild animal.

“He wrote me a long message saying that I was a coward and that he thought that I was better than that. He said that the traditional way of killing an animal should be with a spear or with a bow and an arrow,” Jones revealed. “He wrote something like: ‘Only a coward could shoot an animal from a helicopter. Give the animal a chance to fight you back at least.’ He unfollowed me and he blocked me and it sucked because I was his fan.”

Extending an olive branch directly to the 41-year-old Ferrari driver, Jones added: “I was a fan of him, but he was very disappointed in me for shooting the pig. Lewis, if you’re listening, I’m sorry.”

Hamilton’s Animal Rights Crusade: Veganism, PETA Honors, and Ethical Stance

Hamilton’s intense reaction aligns with his long-standing commitment to animal welfare and environmental causes. The seven-time World Champion adopted a plant-based vegan diet in 2017, frequently using his global platform to speak out against animal cruelty, industrial farming, and sport hunting. His high-profile advocacy earned him the prestigious Person of the Year award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in 2018.

For Hamilton, seeing a fellow high-profile athlete showcase aerial hunting on social media crossed a clear ethical line. Despite Jones’s defense that the meat was donated to a local family in need, Hamilton refused to condone the practice, making his feelings known before permanently blocking the fighter.

2026 World Championship Chase: Hamilton Chases Eighth Title in First Season with Ferrari

Away from his social media stances, Hamilton’s immediate focus remains firmly glued to the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship. The legendary British driver, who turned 41 at the beginning of the year, is currently enjoying his debut season with Scuderia Ferrari following his historic departure from Mercedes. Having claimed a memorable victory in Barcelona in June—his first win in red overalls—Hamilton sits second in the Drivers’ Championship standings as the grid prepares for the resumption of the season at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.

With up to 12 Grand Prix rounds remaining on the 2026 calendar, Hamilton currently trails his former team’s championship leader, 19-year-old Mercedes prodigy Kimi Antonelli, by 50 points. As the season enters its crucial second phase, Hamilton remains fully focused on closing the championship gap in his pursuit of an unprecedented eighth world title.