Is there such a thing as moving through the divisions too quickly?

With all my glads I have found myself shooting up through the divisions and usually fighting glads 5-10 levels (and more) above my level. I then find, when I get to Maximus, that I get pounded by all the Primus glads all of whom are level 50 and have purple stuff. I would get purple stuff but it seems a waste to get it before level 50 since you'll have to get rid of it and upgrade at some point.

My question is, is there a strategy to advance a bit more slowly that I haven't understood?

I don't spend trophies on arena fights much at all; I just use my daily arena fights and tavern fights.