Staying at your level is win rates of 50%. Dropping on purpose costs the same but is much faster.
The reason people are purposely losing is speed to get wins against lower competition. I expect the last week will be where people push top 1000. That is why you are facing much tougher competition lose on purpose to face lower competition string together 10+ wins. Forfeiting on the way down take no time vs doing double the fights at your own level.