UFC heavyweight Jon Jones isn’t buying reports that he’s avoiding Tom Aspinall.

Jones, who defends his UFC heavyweight title this weekend in New York City against Stipe Miocic, has kept quiet on his next move after the UFC 309 main event — with some reports suggesting that the 37-year-old two-division champion may opt to hang up his 4oz gloves in the aftermath of the fight.

However, last week Jones did suggest that that he would be open to a heavyweight showdown with the reigning UFC 205-pound champion Alex Pereira — a bout which, if it did become a reality, would likely be an unpopular one amongst fight fans given that the current interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall appears to be firmly next in line for a shot at the official heavyweight championship.

In that interview with veteran reporter Kevin Iole, Jones suggested that Aspinall hasn’t quite got the required resume to interest him — despite winning the interim title last year and defending it this past summer against Curtis Blaydes.

But amid chatter on social media that Jones is ‘ducking’ the dominant challenger Aspinall, Jones wasn’t having it.

“I see quite a few people in here calling me a duck,” Jones said in a live video posted to social media, as noted by MMA Junkie. ” I’m a duck. Call me a duck. Call me a chicken.

“Call me a GOAT. Call me a dog. I’m not in high school anymore, guys. Grown man out here chasing his dreams. It’s funny that we really live in a world where being called a duck should affect me. Guys, come on.”

Aspinall, meanwhile, confirmed in October that he is to be the backup fighter for the UFC 309 title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, meaning that it is not outside the realm of possibility that Jones may be required to fight Aspinall in just a few days time — provided he is convinced to do so by the UFC.