i will say this: if mk games were always fgc like street fighter aka tournament games, then today the nrs scene would play on dedicated (mk panel layout) arcade sticks, like traditional (for the most part)
pad players in the sf scene are like exception.
mk became fgc with mk9 and most of the top nrs players never played an fighing game before (competitive)
or they played mk only, some older guys. but not fgc, thats the point.
because this arcade stick culture only existed within the fgc. to buy an arcade stick, to build your own stick, to buy parts and so on. most people outside the fgc didnt even know all of this.
exception were some og,s who really played mk in the arcades, some of them keep playing games like mk2 or umk3 with custom-build arcade sticks.
also, i am sure if madcatz, quanba or such company would sell mk-sticks (with umk3 panel) more nrs player would play on sticks.