IMO contenders have the tendency to focus so much in the champ, they out of there own way, the path that got them the challenge
Discussion
Yea tru! That's one of the major psychological aspects of a contender vs champ contest. 🤙✊🏽
Eventually the champ looks unbeatable because of this.
Either contenders put the champ on a pedestal or they do what you mentioned and refuse to believe they can lose against 'the champ' so they lose to the champ.