It's not about expectations. And you don't lose the right to freedom of speech. An outright statement of threatening to do harm is considered violent intent.

As for somebody insulting family, religion, appearance, whatever. No it doesn't matter. The one doing the insulting isn't in the wrong. It's the one doing the hitting that is 100% in the wrong.

The expectation part has nothing to do with it. Expectation is completely situation. Do you expect not to get hit if you say hello to somebody? Totally situational. Sure your not likely to find a case in this culture in which you will be hit simply for saying hello. Whereas, there is some chance you will be hit if you insult a person as you say. Yet, regardless, it doesn't mean the person doing the hitting isn't 100% in the wrong.

It's your right to say whatever the hell you want. They have every right to respond back to you verbally. They have absolute zero right to physically harm you. Is there anything about your don't comprehend about having every ethical right to say whatever the hell you want, and zero ethical right to put your hands on somebody?

Insult somebody - you have every right.

Physically harm somebody - you do not have any right.

What don't you seem to comprehend about the situation? You're free to argue back. You are free to call him all the names in the world. Feel free to talk about how fat his mom is. You cannot choke him. You cannot so much as shove him. You cannot put your hands on somebody. This isn't something that any person of a decent level of intelligence, including an esports figure should have a difficult time comprehending. This isn't rocket science.