Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the fretting wear performance of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethene (UHMWPE) with addition of GO and SiO2. Design/methodology/approach In this study, GO were synthesized and SiO2 nanoparticles were grafted onto GO. The effect of nanofiller on fretting wear performance of UHMWPE was investigated. Findings The results indicated that GO was successfully synthesized and SiO2 nanoparticles successfully grafted onto GO. Incorporation of GS was beneficial for the reduction in friction and the improvement in wear resistance of UHMWPE. GO was beneficial for reducing friction coefficient, while SiO2 was good for improving wear resistance. There existed a tribological synergistic effect between GO nanosheet and SiO2 nanoparticles. Research limitations/implications The hybrids of GS were promising nanofiller for improving the fretting wear performance of UHMWPE. Originality/value The main originality of the research is to reveal the effect of GO and SiO2 nanoparticles on fretting behavior of UHMWPE. The result indicated hybrids of GS were promising nanofiller for improving the fretting wear performance of UHMWPE.