Did Randy Couture just get knocked out? The UFC champion and his partner Karina Smirnoff were sent home Monday, Sept. 29, becoming the third couple to be eliminated from Season 19 of “Dancing with the Stars.” Olympic athlete Lolo Jones was the first celebrity eliminated from the pack, followed by Tavis Smiley in week 2.

Couture and Smirnoff found themselves in the bottom two with “Mean Girls” actor Jonathan Bennett and his professional partner, Allison Holker. But ultimately it was the buff and bald fighter who was forced to hang up his dance shoes after his “Rocky” routine failed to impress.

Despite his high energy during the movie-themed week, Couture disappointed the judges with a lack of “shaping and timing.” “What happened to that strong, charming leading man from week 1? It was lacking that charm and strength,” Judge Julianne Hough critiqued the fierce competitor.

Couture was sent packing after receiving the low score of 26 out of 40.

So how did the toughest contestant on Season 19 of “DWTS” react to getting the boot? "It's been a great experience, putting myself out there and trying something new," the 51-year-old retired mixed martial artist said. But it seemed like the person who was most sad to see Couture sashay off the dance floor was his partner, who revealed that she felt she'd made a friend for life in Couture.

“This was a priceless experience and I wouldn’t have changed it for anything else,” Smirnoff said, adding that her partner is an “amazing man.”

Were you surprised to see Couture and Smirnoff get eliminated during week three of the 2014 season of “Dancing with the Stars”? Sound off in the comments section below with what Season 19 couple you thought should have been sent home.

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