But why do all champions have to get beat down and physically and psychologically destroyed before they realize they should quit?
Look at what happened to CroCop, Fedor, Chick Lidell, Rich Franklin, Rampage etc.. They were all champions but ended with long losing streaks of severe beat downs and life changing humiliations.
Based on my knowledge on the subject which in reality is 0 I would say its a combination of not knowing how to do much else and being addicted to the rush.
Gsp if far away from that though. He hasn't taken much punishment. So even though a lot of people call him boring hes making millions and not being brain damaged in the process.
But ofc Wandys style is more entertaining. I hoped he would stop after last big win in Japan. But it seems like hed not ready yet. A shame.
The only one in your list that's different now to what he used to be is Lidell. What I mean but that is when not fighting. So they didn't push their luck Way too much like boxer it seems like to do.