well my statement wasn't meant as a catch all, because the UFC has kept name fighters on the roster after they've passed their expiration date as contenders. Guys with fan friendly fighting styles, drawing power, pride legends, or members of the TUF 1 cast get a lot more freedom than most.
but guys stuck out on the fringes or guys looking to break into the UFC are not afforded the same leeway.
Because they usually have glass jaws now. It's kind of hard to find a fringe fighter that is exciting that doesn't have a glass jaw that led to then getting demoted to the C leagues. Hell, even can Jardine got another shot in Strikeforce and went out like a light as usual. Who would you even say got an undeserved premature cut from the UFC or Strikeforce?
I guess you could make a case that instead of cutting the guy after getting glass jaw rocked for 4 or 5 fights or whatever, you move them way down on the card on a prelim fight or something in a fight that would be competitive.
In that way I guess it's different from something like WWE, when many who become old who were once a bigger star, you just get pushed on some C show fighting prospects. Like Dustin Rhodes or Ron Simmons or something.
Instead of Liddell retiring I'm sure he could have continued his career against lower caliber fighters, but once you get that big, you can't go back. I'm sure it would be more interesting in seeing a legend fight a no name guy on a Facebook or FX prelim with a guy he can handle, but once you're that big you just retire or get cut.
You won't see Chuck Liddell vs. James Te Huna on a Facebook prelim or Wanderlei Silva vs. Aaron Simpson or something. More interesting to see those names popping up on a card, but it's probably never going to happen, and I don't think those guys where they've been would accept that spot or that pay anyway - they'll just retire.