Yes, as a matter of fact you can use a PS3 controller via USB cable.
I used a DS3 in the past, you can find the driver needed by searching google.... however:
1: Before each use you need to load the driver
2: MB/IaMP/SWR/etc. does not recognize the maping well, you'll need to use Xpadder or Joy2Key to set up the buttons
:: If you do this, netplay works fine but if you want to play by your self, you need to unplug the controller, load MB then plug it back in since MB will try to load the controller as a pad and jack everything up.
3: Feels good but NOT build to last, Broke mine in 4 months of fighting games. (buttons require more force, '6' direction has snapped off)
:: Plus the inside is weird so you cannot fix it yourslef.
Just get a DualShock2, half the cost, half the pain and it will work for double the time. All you need is a adaptor.
(yea, I go through controllers like hot cakes)